Karachi Hit by Widespread Power Outages as Over 200 Feeders Fail During First Monsoon Rains in Pakistan

Karachi witnessed widespread electricity disruptions after the city's first spell of monsoon rain caused more than 200 power feeders operated by K-Electric to trip, leaving several neighbourhoods without electricity, according to The Express Tribune. Light to moderate rainfall began across different parts of the city on Friday, exposing weaknesses in Karachi's power infrastructure despite K-Electric's earlier assurance that emergency response teams had been deployed in anticipation of the monsoon.

The rain triggered faults in multiple power feeders, substations and pole-mounted transformers (PMTs). In addition, damaged transformers and snapped electricity lines prolonged outages in many areas. Rainfall was reported in several parts of Karachi, including Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Federal B Area, Nazimabad, Jamshed Road, DHA, Mehmoodabad, Empress Market, Bohri Bazaar, PIB Colony, Guru Mandir, Naval Colony, Moach Goth, Orangi Town, North Nazimabad, Sohrab Goth, Scheme 33, Shadman Town and Manghopir, among other localities.

Power supply was disrupted across numerous neighbourhoods, with residents in areas such as Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Guru Mandir, Jamshed Road, Naval Colony, Orangi Town, Federal B Area, North Nazimabad, Sohrab Goth, Scheme 33, Banaras, Nazimabad and Paposh Nagar facing extended blackouts.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) attributed the weather conditions to strong monsoon currents entering Sindh from the Arabian Sea, influenced by a low-pressure system over southwestern Rajasthan. The weather department has forecast more rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, in Karachi on Saturday and Sunday as the same weather system remains active.

The PMD has also predicted rainfall, gusty winds, dust storms and thunderstorms between July 25 and 27 in several districts across Sindh, including Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Hyderabad, Matiari, Jamshoro and Shaheed Benazirabad. Isolated areas may also experience heavy rainfall during this period.