KARACHI: A relentless spell of monsoon rain lashed Karachi through the night, overwhelming rivers, bursting a dam, submerging roads, and forcing thousands of citizens into fear and chaos as the city’s second wave of downpours battered almost every corner.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Surjani Town received the heaviest rainfall at 129.8mm in the past 24 hours. Gulshan eMaymar (Jamia Rasheed) recorded 93.1mm, DHA Phase VII 90mm, and North Karachi 72.2mm. Other areas faced significant showers as well: Gulshan-e-Hadeed (69mm), Korangi (55mm), Saadi Town (55.1mm), Nazimabad (54mm), Kemari (52.2mm), Jinnah Terminal (53mm), Orangi Town (47.2mm), Airport Old Area (46.7mm), PAF Faisal Base (55mm), Met Office University Road (45.4mm), Bahria Town (45mm), and PAF Masroor Base (41mm).
The heavy downpour forced the Commissioner Karachi to announce the closure of all public and private educational institutions across the division until further notice.
Thado Dam Overflow and M-9 Crisis
The most alarming development came from Gadap Town, where the Thado Dam overflowed after hours of heavy rain. Floodwaters gushed onto the Super Highway (M-9 Motorway), sweeping away vehicles including a rickshaw and a van, and spilling into nearby homes. Rescue 1122 and Edhi Marine Services rushed to the scene to save stranded citizens.
To ease pressure, the Sindh government ordered a section of the motorway’s central barrier to be broken, allowing water to flow away. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah personally instructed authorities to clear the M-9 at the earliest and ensure smooth traffic flow. He also directed continuous monitoring of the dam and timely public updates to avoid further tragedy. MNA Jam Karim and MPA Saleem Baloch joined officials at the site.
Homes Flooded, Residents Trapped
Entire neighborhoods were left underwater as floodwaters entered homes in Malir’s Khameeso Jokhio Goth, Sohrab Goth, Machar Colony, and New Karachi’s Khameeso Goth. Families struggled through the night to drain water themselves or move to safer places.
Rescue teams also reported a stalled car caught in strong currents near the site. While the car seemed empty, residents claimed three women had gone missing in the flash floods, sparking urgent search operations.
According to the CM’s spokesperson, a Shehzore truck was swept away in the dam’s spillway, but all four passengers were dramatically rescued under the supervision of DC Malir.
Widespread Panic in Localities
The overflow from Thado Dam submerged streets and alleys in Gadap Town, terrifying residents of Scheme 33 and surrounding areas. Many spent a sleepless night trying to escape the rising waters. Streams and drains also overflowed in Sohrab Goth, Machar Colony, Hasan Nauman Colony, and Khameeso Goth in New Karachi Industrial Area, trapping people inside their homes.
Other major arteries of the city were also hit. Roads around Do Minute Chowrangi, Nagan Chowrangi, Sharah-e-Pakistan, Jail Chowrangi, Liaquatabad, Buffer Zone, Anda Mor, Qalandaria Chowk, Five Star Chowrangi, KDA Chowrangi, Essa Nagri, Sir Shah Suleman Road, Sharah-e-Faisal, and PECHS Society were submerged in knee-deep water, leaving motorists stranded.
Saadi Town was among the worst-hit localities, where floodwaters from the dam reached late at night, causing panic among residents. Families scrambled to protect homes, cars, and belongings from the onslaught.
Traffic Diversions and Road Chaos
With the M-9 submerged, traffic police quickly announced diversions. Vehicles arriving from Hyderabad were redirected toward Model Road, while traffic from Karachi toward Hyderabad was forced back into the city through the Sabzi Mandi cut. The situation remains tense, and authorities are closely monitoring traffic flow.
Power Woes and Electrocutions
Despite the chaos, K-Electric (KE) claimed its system largely held firm during the third consecutive day of rain. A spokesperson said 1,975 out of 2,100 feeders remained active, with restoration work underway in submerged areas. Power was successfully restored in several neighborhoods, including Surjani, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Korangi, North Nazimabad, Gulistan-e-Johar, Askari-III, Shah Latif Town, and multiple parts of Malir, Keamari, and New Karachi.
However, tragedy struck as three electrocution deaths were reported in Ayub Goth, Khawaja Ajmer Nagri, and Shah Faisal Colony. KE spokesperson Imran Rana expressed sorrow, clarifying that preliminary probes suggested two incidents were due to faulty indoor wiring, while the Shah Faisal case was linked to electricity theft not KE infrastructure. He urged citizens to avoid electric poles, wet meters, service brackets, and exposed wires, and to seek certified electricians in emergencies.
Rescue Operations
Rescue efforts continued throughout the night as civil and military forces joined hands. The Pakistan Army, Rangers, police, and Rescue 1122 coordinated evacuations and drainage efforts.
Over 350 people were relocated from rain-hit areas including Saadi Town, Gadap, and Keamari. Ten people trapped in water in Saadi Town were rescued by Army and Rescue 1122 teams under the supervision of DC East and DC Malir. Assistant Commissioner Keamari, Madiha Narejo, personally oversaw the safe relocation of 100 individuals.
In Gulshan-e-Iqbal, two people were caught in a flood surge in the Lyari River near Imtiaz Super Store. Rescue teams reached swiftly and, after a challenging effort, pulled both individuals to safety.
City Still on Edge
As rains ease, Karachi remains on edge. Thousands are battling floodwater inside homes, roads are still clogged, and the overflowing dam continues to threaten nearby areas. With schools shut and rescue teams stretched thin, the city waits anxiously for relief as authorities race against time to restore order.
