Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab announced on Wednesday that 318 residents have been relocated to safety after heavy monsoon rains caused the Lyari and Malir rivers to overflow. The rivers, which serve as the city’s primary stormwater drains, have been overwhelmed due to urban encroachment and waste buildup, leading to frequent flooding during the rainy season.
“So far, 318 people have been rescued and moved to safe locations from areas near the Lyari drain, and teams remain on the ground,” the mayor stated in a social media post. He added that all major roads and underpasses were clear and open to traffic.
In response to the severe weather, the Sindh government ordered the closure of all educational institutions in Karachi. A notification issued by the Karachi Commissioner cited ongoing rain and an advisory from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), which predicted intermittent rain and thunderstorms with temperatures ranging between 25–29°C.
According to the PMD, Karachi received 47.7mm of rainfall by Wednesday morning. Rescue efforts continued through the night, with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directing emergency teams to evacuate stranded residents. More than 350 people were moved to safety with support from the Pakistan Army and local rescue services.
Tragically, two teenagers died from electrocution yesterday, and another drowned in floodwaters. Meanwhile, rural areas of Tharparkar and Dadu districts reported significant damage, with hundreds of straw-mud houses washed away after days of sustained rainfall.
The PMD forecasts that the weather system affecting Karachi and Sindh will gradually move toward Balochistan, weakening into a low-pressure area. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.
