Pakistan’s Largest City Karachi Battered by Heavy Rain as Climate Change Fuels Extreme Weather

Climate Crisis and Poor Infrastructure Deepen Flood Impact in Pakistan

Pakistan regularly experiences heavy monsoon rains between July and September, but experts warn that the frequency and intensity of rainfall have grown significantly in recent years due to the climate crisis.

The rapidity of these events is increasing and our response is not keeping pace,” said climate advocate Afia Salam. “We are reacting to individual disasters instead of building long-term strategies.

Pakistan’s Largest City Karachi Battered by Heavy Rain as Climate Change Fuels Extreme Weather

As always, the poorest and most vulnerable communities remain on the frontlines. In Karachi, Pakistan’s financial hub, luxury hotels, shopping malls, and gated communities coexist with vast inequality. According to the World Bank, nearly 50% of the city’s residents live in informal settlements, where weak infrastructure leaves them highly exposed to climate-related disasters. Experts note that inadequate flood management and slow disaster response have worsened the crisis.

The devastation is not limited to Karachi. Balochistan province has also been hit hard, where extreme rainfall has killed at least 87 people this month alone, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). In Jaffarabad district, a roof collapse claimed the lives of a woman and a child. The PDMA further reported that eight dams were breached, nine bridges damaged, and more than 700 livestock lost to the floods.

Earlier this month, torrential rain in Karachi submerged most underpasses and main roads, leaving authorities with no effective drainage options. Even the city’s key financial corridors—including areas housing Pakistan’s central bank—were under water. Rescue teams were seen using boats to reach stranded citizens as flash floods paralyzed Karachi’s infrastructure.

Experts warn that without urgent investment in urban planning, resilient flood defenses, and sustainable disaster management, Pakistan’s major cities—especially Karachi—will remain highly vulnerable to the growing threat of climate change.

Karachi Floods: Torrential Rain Hits Pakistan’s Largest City – Local Rainfall Data & Severe Disruptions

Public services across Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, have been suspended and businesses urged to close as torrential rains brought deadly flash floods and infrastructure collapse, with at least 15 lives lost since Saturday.

On Sunday night, more than 60 mm of rainfall inundated the city, roughly equivalent to a month's worth of precipitation in just a few hours.

By Tuesday, the deluge intensified, with different parts of Karachi recording staggering rainfall. Saadi Town received 176 mm, Gulshan-e-Hadeed around 170 to 173 mm, while the Airport Old Area measured nearly 158.7 mm. Jinnah Terminal recorded 153 mm, Nazimabad 149.6 mm, Surjani Town 145.2 mm, and Keamari between 137 and 140 mm. DHA Phase VII and Clifton reported 121 to 134 mm, while University Road registered 132 mm. Korangi recorded around 120 to 132 mm, North Karachi 108.4 mm, and Orangi Town 66.2 mm. Other areas included Gulshan-e-Maymar with 98 mm, PAF Masroor Base with 75 to 87 mm, and Bahria Town with only 4.8 mm.

These figures confirm the extent of devastation, as entire neighborhoods were submerged, floodwaters entered homes, and roads turned into rivers with vehicles stranded in knee- to waist-deep water.

Authorities—including Sherry Rehman, Pakistan’s climate change minister—have issued flash flood warnings for over 14 cities and townships. Since the monsoon season began last month, more than 300 people have died nationwide due to heavy rainfall, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

In Karachi, infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and highways has been severely damaged, paralyzing transportation and leaving residents stranded. Widespread KElectric outages forced many people to rely on generators, creating long queues at fuel stations.

At Jinnah International Airport, flight operations have also been disrupted. At least eight flights were cancelled, twenty delayed, and several others diverted due to unsafe conditions, causing severe inconvenience for travelers.

Climate change is a threat. We are a coastal city. It’s happening so fast—and Karachi will bear the brunt,” said climate advocate Afia Salam. “This crisis goes beyond isolated events like a bridge collapse or a flooded road—it’s systemic.