Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday reviewed the administrative response to the severe storm and heavy rain that had struck Karachi the previous night, and directed all the relevant agencies to remain in the field until the relief and restoration operations are completed.
The chief executive received detailed reports at the CM House from Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi and traffic police chief DIG Pir Muhammad Shah regarding rescue activities, road clearance and traffic restoration across the city.
According to the commissioner’s report, the rainstorm continued from 7pm to midnight, with rain ranging between 2mm and 25mm recorded in different parts of the city. The storm caused several incidents, including felling trees and signboards, and damaging structures.
CM Shah was informed that 19 people lost their lives and 16 others were injured in rain-related accidents. The worst-affected area was Baldia in District Keamari, where 13 fatalities were reported.
Rescue operation
Following CM Shah’s directives, the district administrations, municipal teams and emergency services immediately launched rescue and clearance operations across Karachi. Fallen trees and signboards, and other obstacles were removed from major roads and highways, restoring traffic flow in most areas.
The authorities reported that no major waterlogging or prolonged traffic disruption had been recorded after the rain. CM Shah expressed concern over the loss of lives, and directed the authorities to continue monitoring the situation.
“The protection of citizens’ lives and properties is our foremost priority. All departments must remain alert and continue relief operations until normalcy is fully restored.”
Coordinated response
CM Shah was informed that multiple agencies, including the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, the town municipal corporations, traffic police, the district administrations and K-Electric, worked jointly to respond to the emergency.
DIG Shah reported that traffic police mobile mechanical workshops were deployed across the city to assist stranded motorists and help clear damaged vehicles. CM Shah appreciated the coordinated efforts of all the institutions. “All the relevant agencies acted promptly and effectively. Their coordinated response helped restore traffic and provide timely assistance to citizens.”
Roads’ restoration
Officials briefed CM Shah on clearance operations carried out on several important roads. On Club Road near the Gymkhana area, a boundary wall collapsed and a large fallen tree blocked the road, but heavy machinery was used to remove the obstruction and restore traffic.
On Housing Crossing near Clifton, a large tree fell across both lanes, temporarily halting traffic. The obstruction was removed through the joint efforts of traffic police and municipal teams.
On Rashid Minhas Road near the Imtiaz Store, in the COD and Millennium areas, tilted electricity poles and hanging wires created a dangerous situation. Joint teams from traffic police, KE and the municipal authorities removed the hazard.
Similarly, a large tree fell on MT Khan Road near the US Consulate, blocking the main artery. The authorities cleared the road within a short time. Other areas where emergency clearance operations were conducted included Sharea Faisal, Court Road, the National Highway and Sohrab Goth, where fallen trees and debris were quickly removed to reopen traffic routes.
Overnight operations
Officials informed CM Shah that drainage, clean-up and restoration activities continued throughout the night across the city. DIG Shah reported that most major roads were cleared and reopened in the shortest possible time, although minor debris might remain at some locations due to the intensity of the storm.
CM Shah directed all the departments to maintain their presence in the field until the relief operation is fully completed. “The government stands with the citizens in every situation. Our institutions must continue working until every affected area is cleared and normal life is fully restored.”
The chief executive also commended the coordination among various agencies and emphasised the need for continued preparedness to deal with extreme weather events in the future.
Wall collapse victims
Eight of the 11 people killed in a wall collapse triggered by strong winds on Wednesday night near the Mochko Telephone Exchange in Baldia, Karachi, have been identified, according to the Edhi Foundation.
Rescue officials said that two bodies were handed over to the heirs on the site after identification, but their names could not be immediately confirmed.
Among the remaining victims, six were identified as Zahid Habib, 24, Shakeel Ahmed, 31, Farooq, 33, Sajid Riaz, 40, Javed Firdous, 35, and Arshad Murad, 50.
Three unidentified bodies have been shifted to the Edhi morgue. The victims had been buried under rubble when a wall collapsed during heavy stormy winds and rain in Mawach Goth.
Another wall collapse
Part of a corridor roof collapsed on the second floor of a residential building in Shadman Town, within the Shahrah-e-Noorjahan police station’s jurisdiction. No casualties were reported in the incident.
However, the residents of the upper floors were temporarily trapped because the damaged corridor was the only access route. Rescue 1122 and police teams initiated efforts to create an alternative passage for them.
PDMA report
At least 20 people were killed and 31 others injured in rain-related incidents across Sindh during the past 24 hours, according to a situation report issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
The report stated that the highest number of fatalities was recorded in Karachi’s Keamari district, where 13 people lost their lives. Three deaths were reported in Malir, while one person died in Sujawal after a shop collapsed. Additionally, one death each was reported from Karachi East, West and South districts.
The PDMA report said that a total of 31 people sustained injuries in various rain-related incidents. Among the injured, five were reported in Karachi East, 2 in District West, 10 in District South, 3 in District Korangi, 6 in District Malir, and 5 in District Thatta.
At least 79 houses were affected across the province. These included one house in Karachi’s West, 4 in East, 5 in South, 4 in Malir, and 65 in Thatta. Furthermore, 106 trees were reported to have fallen in different parts of Sindh.
