Deadly Storm and Heavy Rains Kill 19 in Karachi, High Alert Issued Across Sindh

Karachi: At least 19 people were killed and several others injured after powerful winds and torrential rains battered Karachi, causing widespread destruction and power outages across the city.

According to rescue officials, multiple fatalities occurred due to collapsing walls, falling trees, and lightning strikes. In the Moach Goth area of Baldia, 11 people lost their lives when a wall and roof collapsed. In Qaidabad’s Majeed Colony, a husband and wife were killed in a similar incident, while one person died in Korangi after being trapped under a fallen tree. Another fatality was reported in Malir after a lightning strike.

Authorities said several victims in Baldia had taken shelter in a dilapidated structure during the rain, which later collapsed. Rescue operations are still ongoing, and the death toll may rise.

In Gulistan-e-Johar, a four-year-old girl died when a wall fell near Kamran Chowrangi. In Clifton, a woman in her mid-30s was killed after a tree fell on her near Neelum Colony. Several injuries were also reported in different parts of the city due to similar incidents.

Wind speeds reached up to 90 km/h on Shahrah-e-Faisal and 97 km/h in Mauripur, intensifying the impact of the storm. The severe weather also disrupted electricity, with around 645 feeders affected, plunging large parts of the city into darkness late into the night.

Areas including Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Johar, Malir, Landhi, Korangi, Orangi, Liaquatabad, Saddar, and the Old City Area experienced heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds.

Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah declared a high alert across the province, canceling staff leaves and directing authorities to ensure immediate drainage of rainwater and emergency response.

Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi said all administrative officers had been deployed in the field to manage the situation and assist citizens, especially during the busy pre-Eid shopping period.

Meanwhile, K-Electric urged residents to exercise extreme caution, advising them to stay away from exposed wires, avoid unsafe use of electrical appliances, and refrain from illegal power connections, which could lead to fatal accidents.

The Meteorological Department had earlier forecast the weather system and warned that more rain spells are expected in the coming days, with another system likely to enter the region on Friday and Saturday.