Eight electrocuted as heavy rain lashes Karachi

At least eight people died of electrocution, as heavy rain lashed Karachi

By Nasir Aijaz
AsiaN Representative

Islamabad: At least eight people died of electrocution, as heavy rain lashed Karachi, the port city and capital of southern Sindh province, on Friday afternoon.

The rain lowered the sweltering temperatures and brought some much-needed relief to the residents of the city, but also left them at the mercy of flooded roads and electric power cuts.

More than 350 feeders of the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation tripped, affecting electricity supply to most of the areas.

The heavy rainfall also exposed the precautionary measures of the authorities at the National Stadium Karachi as the first one-day international between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was called off.

Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz said that the recent spell of monsoon rains in Karachi was extraordinary. He added that around 130mm of rain has been recorded in Karachi during the past few weeks.

At least 12 people were killed last month after torrential downpour and urban flooding in the city.

Major thoroughfares were drowned under several feet of rainwater, with drains in the city overflowing and low-lying residential areas submerged.