Unprecedented Downpour Leaves Karachi Paralyzed
written by Ms. Durriya
Karachi came to a standstill last night as relentless rain, unlike anything witnessed in years, turned the city into a flood zone. Within hours, roads were submerged, cars broke down mid-route, and thousands of people were left stranded with no way forward.
I saw families wading through waist-high water—parents carrying children, young men pushing stalled vehicles, and strangers helping one another in the chaos. In moments like these, the spirit of Karachi comes alive, reminding us of the kindness and resilience that define its people. Yet, alongside that resilience was deep exhaustion and frustration. Power outages stretched for hours, public transport disappeared, and traffic jams dragged on endlessly. What should have been a short journey turned into a four-hour struggle—we left
at 11 p.m. and didn’t reach home until 3 a.m. The bigger question remains: why does the city
still crumble under the same challenge year after year? Blocked drains, fragile infrastructure,
and poor planning leave Karachi defenseless every monsoon. Its people continue to adapt, but they shouldn’t have to bear the burden of a system that refuses to evolve.
As the floodwaters slowly dry, what lingers is not just the damage to homes and streets, but the reminder that this vibrant, resilient city deserves solutions—not just survival.