KARACHI, August 31 (TNS): Heavy rainfall in the wee hours of Thursday morning lashed several areas of the city after receiving moderate showers on Wednesday night.
Downpour wreaked havoc on the power supply system and municipal infrastructure as electrocution and falling billboard incidents left at least five people dead in different areas of the metropolis.
The situation further turned even worse due to flooding of low-lying areas as the Meteorological Department forecast new spell of monsoon rain till Friday coupled with thunderstorm.
At 7.8 mm, the airport and surrounding areas of the city witnessed the maximum rainfall within a 12-hour period.
Meantime, many areas including Clifton Block 5, North Nazimabad, Gulistan-e-Johar, and Nazimabad plunged into darkness with first drop of rain.
A new monsoon system has entered in Sindh from India that will generate a wet spell with thunderstorm and heavy rainfall, Director Meteorological Department Abdul Rasheed said.
The wet spell in southern parts of Sindh including Mirpur Khas, Hyderabad and Karachi divisions will persist today, till Friday (tomorrow). The weather system will weaken on Friday night.
The cloudy weather however will continue on Eidul Azha, which falls on Saturday.
According to the met office, presently seasonal low lies over north Balochistan. Strong monsoon currents are penetrating southern parts of the country, while moderate currents in upper parts and Kashmir.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has advised all concerned departments for an update of SMS alert in view of expected flash flooding due to rains and thunderstorm during current week.
According to NDMA, flash floods are likely to impact areas of Sindh and Balochistan provinces.
NDMA has asked the PDMAs of Sindh and Balochistan to coordinate with cellular mobile operators for early dissemination of SMS alert in the areas.
The Met office has warned of urban flooding if necessary arrangements are not taken by the municipal authorities in view of widespread rains. The met officials advised the authorities concerned to ensure cleanliness of storm water drains system of the city to avoid flooding.
Karachi Metropolitan Corporation officials said that with limited resources and power they are trying their best to serve the people and try to provide them with relief at any cost. A senior director for municipal services said all their arrangements had been done, including repair of suction pumps, in order to deal with any emergency.
