Is Karachi ready for 200mm of rain?

Karachi, Pakistan's sprawling metropolis of over 20 million people, has been forecast to receive 150mm to 200mm of rainfall over the next three days. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted even heavier downpours for the rest of the Sindh province.

But is the country's financial capital prepared to withstand such weather conditions? Past experiences have shown that even an hour of heavy rain can paralyze the city.

Roads become submerged, develop crater-like potholes, and traffic grinds to a halt. In many areas, hours-long power outages occur as electricity cables, strung haphazardly across streets and alleyways, fail to withstand gusty winds.

Here’s a timeline of extreme rainfall events in Karachi since 2000:

2003

Rainfall: 133 mm (5.2 inches)

July 2003 saw one of Karachi's most severe rain events, with 133mm of rainfall recorded in a single day. The intensity of the rain caused widespread flooding across the city, with some areas submerged under several feet of water.

The city's drainage system, already under strain, was unable to cope with the deluge, leading to waterlogging in key commercial and residential areas.

The rain also caused massive traffic jams, with vehicles stranded on flooded roads for hours. The economic impact was significant, as businesses were forced to shut down, and many daily wage earners lost their livelihoods for several days.

2009

Rainfall: 245 mm (9.6 inches)

People push a stranded auto-rickshaw along a flooded street in Karachi on July 9, 2009.AFP

July 2009 brought unprecedented rain to Karachi, with 245mm rainfall recorded in just 24 hours. This was one of the heaviest single-day rainfalls in the city's history.

At least 26 people lost their lives and flooding and power outages were reported from across the metropolis.

The city's already overstretched infrastructure was unable to cope with the sheer volume of water, resulting in extensive waterlogging.

2011

Rainfall: 204 mm (8 inches)

Commuters faced hardships as they waded through rainwater in Karachi on September 10, 2011.ONLINE

In September 2011, Karachi was hit by another significant rain event, with 204mm of rainfall recorded. Flooding was widespread, particularly in low-lying areas where the water took days to recede.

The rain caused severe traffic jams, as major roads were submerged, and public transport was brought to a standstill. The flooding also led to power outages in several parts of the city, with some areas remaining without electricity for days.

The economic impact was again significant, with businesses suffering heavy losses due to the disruption.

This infographic shows the number of deaths and the amount of rainfall (in millimeters) in Karachi for the years 2003, 2009, 2011, 2020, 2022, and 2024.

2020

Rainfall: 484 mm (19 inches)

People carry a washing machine through a flooded residential area after heavy monsoon rains in Karachi on August 27, 2020.AFP

August 2020 will be remembered as one of the most devastating months in Karachi's history. The city experienced a record-breaking 484mm of rainfall.

This was the highest rainfall recorded in the city in nearly 90 years, and it led to catastrophic flooding across Karachi. The rain caused widespread devastation, with entire neighborhoods submerged under several feet of water.

The flooding was so severe that even affluent areas, which are typically better equipped to handle heavy rains, were heavily impacted. Over 40 people lost their lives, and thousands were displaced as their homes were either destroyed or rendered uninhabitable.

2022

Rainfall: 400+ mm (16 inches)

Residents commute through a flooded road during the monsoon season in Karachi, Pakistan July 9, 2022. REUTERS

The monsoon season of 2022 brought yet another extreme rain event to Karachi, with over 400 mm of rainfall recorded between July and August.

The prolonged rain led to widespread flooding, with many areas of the city remaining waterlogged for days. The flooding caused severe disruption to daily life, with schools, offices, and businesses forced to shut down.

On July 11, 2022, 14 people were killed in rain-related accidents in the provincial capital, with six deaths reported in the city’s eastern district and four in Korangi.

2024

Rainfall: 77mm (3 inches)

Commuters are facing difficulties in transportation due to heavy downpour, in Karachi's Liaquatabad area on February 4, 2024.PPI

Earlier this year, relatively moderate rain in Karachi led to severe urban flooding and widespread power outages, with over 700 electricity feeders tripping and plunging many areas into darkness.

The intense downpour, starting after sunset, affected numerous localities, including Landhi, Korangi, and Gulistan-e-Jauhar. Rainfall measurements reached 77mm at Burns Road and 75mm at PAF Base Faisal, among other areas.

The severe weather disrupted daily life, particularly on Sharea Faisal, where vehicles were submerged. The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board declared an emergency due to the flooding.