Karachi mayor address rain response; KE says restoration efforts ongoing

KARACHI: In a joint press conference held here today, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad briefed the media on the city’s response to the heavy rainfall that hit Karachi yesterday. Both officials stressed the urgent need to adapt to the realities of climate change.

“Global warming is no longer a distant threat. It is a reality we’re living in today,” Wahab said, adding, “Even the most developed cities in the world are struggling with the consequences of extreme weather events. The destruction we have witnessed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recently is a stark reminder of how serious this issue has become.”

Also read: Four injured as dilapidated building in Karachi collapses

The mayor also explained that Karachi experienced two separate rain spells yesterday, one in the early morning, ending around 9 AM, and the second beginning in the afternoon. “After the first spell, our teams were able to clear the roads by 12 PM,” he said, commending the municipal and emergency services for their swift efforts.

“We have two choices moving forward. We can either continue reacting to disasters or we can change our entire approach in the face of climate change,” he said, while inviting constructive criticism. But he also urged citizens and political opponents alike to understand the larger context. “If someone wants to criticise, they are free to do so, but we must also recognise that climate change is a global crisis, not a local failure.”

The mayor said that the administration is focused on improving Karachi’s resilience to extreme weather but stressed the need for collective responsibility and long-term planning.

KE SAYS POWER RESTORATION EFFORTS CONTINUE ACROSS KARACHI

Meanwhile, Karachi Electric (KE) said that following yesterday’s heavy rainfall, power supply disruptions continue in parts of Karachi, with 250 out of 2,100 feeders yet to be restored. However, electricity supply continues through 1,850 feeders, and restoration efforts are also ongoing in the remaining affected areas, the utility company said.

Restoration work is being carried out as soon as safety clearance is received from ground teams, the KE  spokesperson added.

So far, power has been restored in:

• Central and West Karachi (including Barkat Market, New Mianwali Colony, Islamia Colony, Mujahid Colony, A Area Liaquatabad, FB Area Block 19, Al-Noor Society, Manghopir Colony, Nusrat Bhutto Kakuni, and Haroonabad).
• Central District (including Sir Syed Ahmed Khan Road, Khalid Bin Waleed Road, PECHS Block 2 and 3, PIB, Nafisabad, and Iqbal Colony).
• And other locations (including Sher Shah, North Karachi Sector 12C, Mahmoodabad, Bhutta Village, Majeed Colony, Manzoor Colony, North Nazimabad Block K, Mahmood Khan Goth)

Efforts are ongoing in neighborhoods that are still facing outages, which according to KE include:

• North Nazimabad: Blocks A, C, D, I, J, K, R, and S
• Gulshan-e-Iqbal: Block 10-A
• Surjani Town: Saima Pari Center
• Korangi: Murtaza Chowrangi, Sector 21, and Sector 29
• DHA and Clifton: Khayaban-e-Shamshir, Shaheen, Gizri Boulevard, and Commercial Streets 1 to 4
• KDA and Hill View Apartments

Also read: Karachi paralysed after record rain, 10 dead in incidents

The spokesperson highlighted that the restoration process is being hampered by logistical issues, including disruptions in fuel supply across the city, which is affecting the movement of K-Electric vehicles. The company also urged the public to remain cautious around power infrastructure, especially in areas with standing water, and report any outages or hazards via the K-Electric helpline or mobile app.