Karachi, Pakistan’s bustling economic hub, faces a dire situation as torrential monsoon rains trigger widespread flooding. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a red alert, warning of torrential downpours and heightened flood risks across multiple neighborhoods. Consequently, the city’s fragile drainage system struggles to cope, leaving roads submerged and residents stranded.

Flooded Areas in Karachi

Heavy rainfall, exceeding 100 mm in some areas over the past 48 hours, has inundated several Karachi neighborhoods.

• Gulistan-e-Johar (Blocks 14 and 15): Sewage-mixed rainwater has flooded streets, with residents reporting knee-deep water in homes.
• Gulshan-e-Iqbal: Major roads, including University Road, are submerged, causing traffic gridlock and stranding commuters.
• Korangi and Korangi Crossing: The collapse of the sewerage system has led to overflowing drains, with the Korangi Causeway closed to traffic.
• Liaquatabad: Low-lying areas are swamped, with water levels reaching up to four feet in some spots, forcing families to relocate belongings.
• North Karachi and North Nazimabad: Residents face power outages and flooded streets, with stagnant water posing health risks.
• Landhi: Poor drainage has caused widespread inundation, disrupting daily life and damaging infrastructure.
• Gulshan-e-Hadeed: The link road to Hyderabad is closed due to flooding in the Malir River, isolating communities.
• Federal B Area: Overflowing sewage and rainwater have rendered roads impassable, with locals demanding urgent action.

Lyari Naddi Floods Sohrab Goth and Beyond

Lyari Naddi (Lyari River): Rising waters have swept into homes in Gulshan-e-Iqbal UC-1, Goharabad, Nishtar Basti, Eesa Nagri, FB Area, Shafiq Colony, and Hasan Naumani Colony. Rescue 1122 evacuated 15 children, four women, and one elderly man from Lassi Para near Lyari Naddi, where water levels reached several feet. Tragically, two children drowned in the Lyari River near Liaquatabad’s C-1 Area, underscoring the severity of the crisis.

Sohrab Goth: Floodwaters from Lyari Naddi and nearby streams have submerged homes near Al-Asif Square and Lassi Para, trapping residents. Rescue teams saved 12 people, including nine children, from Shahbaz Goth. The M-9 Motorway near Jamali Bridge, close to Sohrab Goth, is underwater, disrupting traffic to Hyderabad.

Moreover, the Malir River, also overflowing due to Thado Dam’s spillway release, has inundated Scheme 33 and areas near Ayub Goth Bridge and Lasi Goth, exacerbating the crisis.

Areas at Risk of Flooding

The PMD warns that low-lying areas remain highly vulnerable as the monsoon spell continues until September 10.

• Defence Housing Authority (DHA): Light showers have already caused waterlogging on Korangi Road and Shahrah-e-Faisal, with heavier rains expected.
• Qayyumabad, Mehmoodabad, and Manzoor Colony: These low-lying areas are prone to flash flooding due to inadequate drainage.
• Baloch Colony and Burns Road: Intermittent showers have raised concerns, with the PMD predicting up to 100 mm of rain in the next 24 hours.
• Malir and Surrounding Areas: The Malir River’s overflow threatens nearby communities, with the Superhighway also at risk.
• Clifton and Saddar: Coastal proximity and poor drainage increase vulnerability to urban flooding.

Shahrah-e-Faisal and I.I. Chundrigar Road are also flagged as critical flood-prone areas.

Additionally, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) forecasts 50–100 mm of rainfall in Karachi, heightening the risk of urban flooding in these areas. The agency urges residents to avoid low-lying zones and stay indoors.

Government Response and Challenges

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah actively monitors the crisis, with the Karachi commissioner briefing him on preparations. The Sindh government has placed the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation on high alert, mobilizing traffic police and emergency services. However, Mayor Murtaza Wahab admits the city’s drainage system, designed for only 40 mm of rain, is overwhelmed by the current deluge, which reached 200 mm in some areas last month.

Furthermore, power outages, reported by K-Electric in waterlogged areas for safety reasons, have disrupted life in North Karachi, Liaquatabad, and beyond. The closure of key routes like Korangi Causeway and Gulshan-e-Hadeed link road complicates rescue and relief efforts. Meanwhile, the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre coordinates round-the-clock monitoring, with mass evacuations underway in high-risk zones.