Karachi: Karachi recorded its heaviest 24-hour rainfall in over four decades on Thursday, breaking a 41-year-old record, the Pakistan Meteorological Department confirmed.
The city received 38.6 millimetres of rain, surpassing the previous record of 37.0 millimetres set in 1985. The downpour began on the morning of April 2 under the influence of a western weather system, intensifying by afternoon and leaving large parts of the city waterlogged.
Heavy rain, accompanied by thick cloud cover, significantly lowered temperatures, bringing unusually cool and pleasant conditions. However, torrential spells in several areas led to urban flooding, while hailstorms were reported in localities such as Mauripur and Clifton.
According to the Met Office, the weather system entered from southwest Balochistan and affected Karachi from Wednesday night through Thursday afternoon. The system has now moved northwards, with light rain and drizzle expected over the next 24 hours instead of heavy thunderstorms.
The intense rainfall caused widespread disruption and fatalities. At least six people lost their lives in Karachi, most due to electrocution amid rain and strong winds that triggered power outages and inundated low-lying areas.
Among the victims was 12-year-old Dua Batool, who was electrocuted inside her home in Surjani Town. Additional electrocution incidents were reported in PIB Colony, SITE Superhighway, and MA Jinnah Road.
Structural damage further compounded the crisis. In Pak Colony, a two-storey building wall collapsed onto a rickshaw near Old Golimar, killing the driver. In a separate incident in Orangi Town, three children were injured after a wall collapse.
A hearse bus returning from a burial also lost control near the FTC Flyover, crashing into a wall and injuring one person.
Elsewhere in Sindh, rain-related incidents were also reported. Folk singer Ustad Dilsher Tewno died in a road accident near Ranipur due to slippery conditions, while a woman in Matyari district was electrocuted.
Officials said the unusual intensity of the western weather system reflects shifting regional weather patterns. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and have advised residents to remain cautious amid lingering rain and potential hazards.
