Monsoon Karachi suffers major power breakdown

Karachi woke up to its first monsoon shower Monday after a brief hot spell. According to Karachi Met Director Sardar Sarfaraz, light to moderate rains may continue intermittently while heavy showers are expected at night. The official said that monsoon winds entered via Indian Gujarat, causing rain in the metropolis.

Some of the city's areas that received rainfall include Malir, Landhi, II Chundrigar Road and its surrounding areas, Steel Town, Yaseenabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Saddar, Numaish, Old City Area, Gadap, University Road and Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

"Clouds are likely to fall in Tharparkar and surrounding areas on July 12," the Met office had said in a statement on Satturday. The Met office had said that Karachi could expect light rain on July 12 before the first spell of monsoons officially begins. Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has blamed the weather department for not predicting today's rain in the metropolis.

The provincial minister said that in principle, the Met Department must inform provincial governments and relevant agencies about the rains and directed the local bodies department to mobilize in view of the inclement weather.

Shah ordered the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, DMCs and KMC to ensure timely drainage of rainwater from the city's roads and low-lying areas.

He said choking points should be cleared on a priority basis. "District administrations should visit their areas for timely assistance to the people, he said. As per reports, some of the city's areas that received rainfall include Malir, Landhi, II Chundrigar Road and its surrounding areas, Steel Town, Yaseenabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Saddar, Numaish, Old City Area, Gadap, University Road and Gulistan-e-Jauhar.