Karachi Imposes Emergency Amid Heavy Rainfall, Record Six Fatalities, Air Travel Disruptions
Unprecedented Monsoon Rains Cause Chaos in Karachi, Pakistan
Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, is currently battling the aftermath of unprecedented monsoon rains that hit the city since Tuesday. The downpour, which recorded 163 mm of rainfall—the highest since 1979—between 19-20 August 2025, has caused significant impact, resulting in numerous casualties and revealing the region’s vulnerability to climate shocks.
According to reports, at least 52 people have lost their lives, and 52 more have been injured due to the rains. The flooding has caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure, leaving hundreds of cars and motorcycles submerged and triggering one of the worst traffic jams in the city's history.
The Karachi Mayor, Murtaza Wahab, has declared a rain emergency, and a public holiday has been declared in the city on Wednesday due to the severe weather conditions. Domestic and international flight operations at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, have been affected, with several flights delayed, cancelled, or diverted to an alternative airport.
The ongoing rains are part of a wider pattern of monsoon-related flash floods affecting Pakistan since late June 2025. Over 780 deaths have been reported nationwide, thousands have been injured, and widespread destruction of homes and livelihoods has occurred, especially in northern provinces such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh (which includes Karachi), Punjab, and others.
Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to climate shocks due to inadequate infrastructure and preparedness. Each monsoon season, millions remain at risk due to inadequate protective measures and the climate change-driven intensification of weather extremes. The continuation of severe rainfall into early September 2025 risks exacerbating humanitarian and economic crises via further flooding, landslides, crop losses, and displacement.
Power outages have swept across several areas of the city after the rains hit, and flooding has occurred across neighbourhoods due to the incessant downpour. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of more heavy rain, adding to the concerns of the city's residents and authorities.
The unprecedented monsoon rains in Karachi highlight the urgent need for strengthening climate resilience, disaster management, and sustainable urban planning in the city and across Pakistan. The ongoing crisis underscores the need for swift action to protect lives and livelihoods from the impacts of climate change.
References:
- Dawn
- UN News
- Al Jazeera
- The Guardian
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