More rains to hit Karachi as Surjani still reels from devastating downpour

With more heavy rain expected to hit Karachi in the next 72 hours, the people in Surjani Town are still feeling the devastating effects of the unprecedented downpour experienced last week, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.

The Surjani Town – a locality located in the north-northeast of the port city – had received 173 millimetres of rain in just one hour on Friday, generating flash flooding in the area. As a whole, Surjani had experienced 186 millimetres of rain.

Meanwhile, the amount of rain recorded in others parts of Karachi was: Surjani North Karachi 106.4mm, Nazimabad 106mm, Gulshan-e-Hadeed 86mm, Masroor Airbase 54mm, Saadi Town 36.9mm, Landhi 25mm, Jinnah Terminal 20.8mm and PAF Faisal Airbase 22mm.

Later on Saturday, the city had received more rain albeit it wasn’t that heavy.

Roads and streets in various localities in and around Surjani – especially Yousaf Goth, Rahim Goth and Sector 4 – are still inundated with the locals saying that the government and the elected representatives had left them at the mercy of nature.

As the rainwater gushed through the roads and streets while the level reaching up to five feet mark, many citizens lost everything like household items.

But it is not the just the residents and their homes, as the traders have suffered a loss to the tune of millions after rainwater inundated shops and markets.

In this situation, the PTI MNA, Aftab Jahangir, had to leave the area after facing a strong reaction from the citizens. Aftab had reached the area on Monday to assess the situation.

“Why you have come here now?” was the question he was asked by the angry crowd. “Where were you we were sinking? Did we vote for you so that you leave us on our own? Just go away,” was the reaction from the locals which prompted Aftab to drive back home.

Meanwhile, it isn’t just Surjani Town where this devastation is visible as people in other neighbourhoods like Jamshed Town and North Karachi too are trying to recover from the devastating rain and flash flooding.

But it isn’t over yet as the Met Office has predicted more widespread rain/thunderstorm with gusty winds from Monday evening till Wednesday night which can go even into Thursday morning.

The latest rain spell caused by a system moving in from the east will also generate heavy rains in other parts lower/southern Sindh. In fact, strong thunderstorms have already lashed Tharparkar and adjoining areas on Monday morning. 

#Nagarparkar right now. pic.twitter.com/fFedAijCtW

— Hanif Samoon (@HanifSamoon1) August 24, 2020

Poor sewerage and drainage system coupled with the crumbling electricity infrastructure mean that the Karachiites may pray and hope for beautiful rainy weather, but their happiness and enjoyment always remain short-lived.