Scores dead in record-breaking Karachi rain

At least 23 people have died in another record-breaking spell of heavy rain that paralyzed the normal life in Karachi in the last 24 hours, rescuers said.

So far 35 people have been killed in the ongoing spell of strong monsoon, according to Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon said.

Faisal Edhi told SAMAA TV that 41 people had lost their lives in the last 2 days due to rain at Karachi.

According to officials, 17 people died as a result of incidents of roof and wall collapse, four died after drowning, and two others in different incidents.

Several parts of Karachi were submerged  after receiving record 223mm of rain. The city had recorded 211mm of rain on July 26, 1976 in 24 hours, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

At least seven people were killed in a lightning strike and four others, including two children, were killed due to a wall collapse and electrocution. Rain water accumulated in Gulbahar underpass also killed one person while three children drowned in Mahmoodabad Hill Top Nullah.

The lightning incident occurred in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Karachi. A lightning bolt struck down a wall near a residential flat killing seven people, including four children and three women. As soon as the accident was reported, rescue teams reached the spot and started rescue operation.

The PMD, in its new advisory, has said the ongoing spell of rain in Karachi may continue till morning as a strong system persists in the Arabian Sea.

In this August so far Karachi has received 576 mmor 23.04 inches of rain This is the highest recorded for any month ever – the previous high was in July 1967 at 429 mm or 17.16 inches.