Torrential downpours paralyse Pakistan’s economic hub, raising fears of wider devastation. Pakistan floods 2025 struck Karachi on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, as heavy monsoon rains caused Malir and Lyari rivers to overflow, flooding homes and roads, killing at least 10, and prompting a rain emergency in the city.
The Karachi floods Pakistan impact extends beyond local disruption, threatening South Asia’s trade and port operations. As Pakistan’s economic hub, Karachi’s paralysis from Pakistan floods 2025 affects regional supply chains, critical for neighbours like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan Floods 2025: Karachi’s Deluge
On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, starting at 7:00 AM PKT, Pakistan floods 2025 hit Karachi with intense monsoon rains, recording 129.6mm in Surjani Town, per Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). The Malir and Lyari rivers swelled, flooding areas like Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Korangi, and North Karachi. According to Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, a rain emergency was declared at 8:00 AM PKT, with all municipal teams on high alert. The Karachi floods Pakistan impact included 10 deaths, with three people drowning in a stormwater drain near Guru Mandir, per Rescue 1122.
The Pakistan floods 2025 caused widespread chaos, submerging major roads like Sharea Faisal and University Road, halting traffic for hours. According to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM PKT, drainage operations were intensified, with 30 pumps deployed to clear water. The Karachi floods Pakistan impact also disrupted Jinnah International Airport, cancelling eight flights and delaying 20 others, per Civil Aviation Authority. Power outages affected 40% of the city, with K-Electric reporting 1,770 of 2,100 feeders operational by 6:00 PM PKT.
Karachi Floods Pakistan Impact: Human and Economic Toll
The Karachi floods Pakistan impact was severe, with water entering homes in low-lying areas like Essa Nagri and Nishtar Basti, forcing over 200 evacuations near Malir and Lyari rivers. According to Rescue 1122, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 9:00 AM PKT, 15 children and four women were rescued from flooded areas. The Pakistan floods 2025 led to tragic losses, including four deaths from a house collapse in Gulistan-e-Jauhar and one electrocution in North Nazimabad, per Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed.
Economically, the Karachi floods Pakistan impact cost traders PKR 14-15 billion, with over 1,000 shops damaged, per Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The flooding disrupted port operations, critical for South Asia’s trade, as Karachi handles 60% of Pakistan’s exports. According to Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM PKT, federal support was requested to address the Karachi floods Pakistan impact, including infrastructure repairs.
Infrastructure and Governance Challenges
The Pakistan floods 2025 exposed Karachi’s fragile drainage system, worsened by encroachments on Malir and Lyari rivers. According to MQM-Pakistan’s Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM PKT, the flooding reflected “incompetence and negligence” by provincial authorities. The PMD warned of continued rain until Thursday, September 11, 2025, with a depression 60km west of Karachi potentially intensifying the Karachi floods Pakistan impact. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 12:00 PM PKT, urban flooding risks persisted in Sindh, with 835 deaths nationwide since June 26, 2025.
The Pakistan floods 2025 highlight climate change challenges, with rising temperatures increasing monsoon intensity, per PMD’s Chief Meteorologist Dr Syed Faisal Saeed on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The Karachi floods Pakistan impact underscores the need for resilient urban planning, as encroachments and poor maintenance exacerbate flooding.
Background
Pakistan floods 2025 follow a pattern of monsoon devastation, with 2022 floods killing 1,700 and causing $30 billion in losses, per the World Bank. Karachi’s drainage system, including Malir and Lyari rivers, has been compromised by illegal constructions and waste dumping, per Nepra’s 2023 report. The city’s 20 million residents face recurring floods due to inadequate infrastructure and governance fragmentation.
What’s Next for Pakistan Floods 2025
The Pakistan floods 2025, particularly the Karachi floods Pakistan impact, demand urgent drainage and infrastructure reforms. With more rain forecast until September 11, 2025, Karachi’s recovery hinges on coordinated governance and federal aid to mitigate future losses.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, September 10th, 2025
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