Eleven killed in rain-related incidents in Pakistan's Karachi

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Islamabad, Aug 20 (IANS) At least 11 people were killed and 10 were injured in Pakistan's Karachi as heavy downpours flooded major roads, submerged underpasses, and paralysed daily life in the country, according to local media reports.

According to the state-run Rescue 1122 department, victims died in electrocutions, drownings, and wall collapses across Karachi, the capital city of southern Sindh province, after heavy rain struck the city since Tuesday morning.

Among the dead were four members of a family in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Karachi after their house wall collapsed, while others lost their lives to rain-soaked power lines and floods in low-lying areas.

The provincial government of Sindh declared Wednesday a public holiday, shutting down schools and offices in an effort to keep citizens off inundated streets.

Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab announced a rain emergency, deploying rescue and sanitation teams, while Governor of Sindh Kamran Tessori opened the Governor's House to shelter stranded citizens.

Flights at Jinnah International Airport of Karachi were severely disrupted, with at least eight cancellations and 20 delays, as power outages at a high level and internet breakdowns crippled communication.

The provincial government announced that all concerned departments are engaged in rescue efforts, and it warned residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and keep away from electric poles.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast further heavy rains until Aug. 23 in Karachi.