Karachi storm kills at least 19 as strong winds, heavy rain lash city

KARACHI: At least 19 people were killed after a powerful storm accompanied by gale-force winds struck Karachi on Wednesday night, with authorities warning of further heavy rainfall in the coming hours.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit multiple parts of the city late last night, causing casualties, damaging infrastructure and uprooting trees. Intermittent showers continued on Thursday in areas including North Karachi, North Nazimabad and Federal B Area.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, cloud systems over the sea are likely to move towards the city, bringing one to two additional spells of heavy rain, with rainfall of 50mm or more expected along with thunderstorms and strong winds.

The Met Office said wind speeds reached up to 90 kilometres per hour on Sharea Faisal and 97 kilometres per hour in Mauripur during the storm, while the highest rainfall recorded was 55.6mm in Korangi.

Authorities said most fatalities occurred due to collapsing walls and roofs. In Baldia Town’s Mawachh Goth, rescue teams recovered 13 bodies from a collapsed building, while search operations continued for more victims trapped under debris.

In separate incidents, two people, including a woman, were killed when a wall collapsed in Landhi’s Majeed Colony, while three others were injured. A man died after being struck by lightning near Yaru Goth in Malir, while another woman lost her life when her house roof collapsed in Korangi’s Sector 3½. A man was also killed after a tree fell on him in Korangi No 5.

Rescue officials reported at least seven people injured in various rain-related incidents across the city. Rainwater also damaged roads near Kareemabad Underpass, leaving several streets in poor condition.

Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab urged residents to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel, warning that several trees had fallen due to strong winds.

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Meanwhile, prolonged power outages were reported in areas including Buffer Zone. A spokesperson for K-Electric said electricity supply remained functional on around 1,840 out of 2,100 feeders, with approximately 260 feeders still affected by rain.

The weather department said conditions are expected to improve on Friday with mostly sunny weather, but another spell of rain may return on Saturday.

The Met Office also warned that rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and isolated hailstorms are likely in several districts of Sindh, including Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sukkur and Larkana, as a westerly weather system continues to influence the region.