Sindh-wide showers end sweltering conditions • Three children die in two rain related incidents in Tandojam and Khairpur KARACHI: Residents of Karachi heaved a sigh of relief on Thursday night as moderate to heavy rainfall brought much-needed reprieve from the scorching summer heat. The maximum temperature recorded was 38 degrees Celsius. While the showers exposed the city’s perennial infrastructure woes, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast more rains in the coming days. Almost all city areas plunged into darkness with the start of the rain. Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Malir, Landhi, North Karachi, Clifton, Saddar, Nazimabad and Gulshan-i-Maymar experienced moderate to heavy rainfall, while heavy showers were also reported on the city outskirts. The PMD said that the monsoon system entered Sindh from the southeast, triggering rain across Karachi. Several parts of the city witnessed flashes of lightning accompanying rainfall. The impact of the rain was quickly felt across the metropolis as many neighbourhoods witnessed power outages. Electricity feeders tripped due to the wet conditions. Meanwhile, rainwater also accumulated in several low-lying areas, particularly in parts of Korangi, Liaquatabad, and Orangi Town. Many vehicles broke down due flooding on roads. Municipal authorities had earlier claimed to have cleaned major storm-water drains ahead of the monsoon, but Thursday’s rain that inundated streets and roads, raised concerns about the city’s preparedness. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, in a late evening statement, said that drainage teams were on the ground and that efforts were underway to clear clogged areas. Rains across Sindh The rains ended the prolonged dry spell across Sindh, bringing relief from the sweltering weather conditions. Meanwhile, three children died in two separate rain related incidents. Oppressive heat was being reported in many districts since last month and the Met Office had made a forecast two days back about an early monsoon rainfall till from June 25 to June 28. While weather turned pleasant in all areas that received rainfall, the joy proved short-lived as power breakdowns were reported in several areas, plunging many districts of Hesco region into darkness. In Hyderabad the rain that started at 8.15pm continued for 30 minutes. Barring a few days of June’s third week, the temperature in Hyderabad had been consistently at 40 degrees Celsius or above. The Thursday’s temperature was recorded at 40.5 degree Celsius and the people were experiencing suffocating weather conditions since morning that peaked in the evening and ultimately strong gusty winds started to blow to precede the rainfall. Rooftop of a seminary in Tandojam’s Muzzafarabad Colony caved in, resulting in death of two children. They were identified as Waheedullah, and Zain. Around 13 children were injured in the incident. Reports suggest that the rooftop of an adjacent house had first fallen on seminary causing its collapse as well. The injured were taken to Liaquat University Hospital, City branch, from Tandojam. Another child Fayyaz Phulphoto died in Khairpur when the roof of his house collapsed in a village. Power supply went off as soon as rains started in most areas. A Hesco spokesman confirmed that 45 feeders of Hyderabad city remained disturbed out of 156 and 90 feeders faced issues in rest of the Hesco region, which has 659 feeders. Dust storm visited areas of Babarloi, Tando Masti, Shah Hussain, Thehri that also damaged solar power systems at various locations. Rains also damaged date palm trees. Severe heat had been reported in Tando Mohammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Sanghar districts. The areas received rains in the evening. Gusty winds and rainfall were reported from Matiari. Badin also received light rain which continued at a moderate speed, causing accumulation of water on city roads. No casualty was reported. Rainfall with thunderstorm hit Mirpurkhas and its outskirts. There are reports of rains from Mirwah Gorchani, Digri, Jhuddo, Tando Jan Muhammad, Kot Ghulam Muhammad, Sindhri, Naokot, Jhilori, etc. Farmers have expressed their happiness as they were facing acute water shortages for their cultivated crops, including cotton. Heavy rainfall accompanied by a severe thunderstorm lashed Thatta and Sujawal districts, leading to considerable damage, particularly to the agricultural sector and vulnerable communities in coastal areas. Furthermore, several huts in the coastal belt of Thatta were severely damaged. Warning of urban flooding Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department had released an urban flooding warning for several cities, including Karachi. According to the department’s advisory, “a westerly wave grips western parts of the country, which are also seeing continued penetration of the monsoon currents”. The latter weather system is likely to intensify further. It said that Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Dadu, Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Jacobabad, Ghotki and Kashmore could receive rains. The department warned that heavy downpour/windstorm and lightning would affect daily routines, leading to urban flooding and water-logging in low-lying areas. The Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has directed all concerned deputy commissioners/relevant authorities and stakeholders to take all necessary measures. Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2025