2009 Karachi floods
Encyclopedia
The 2009 Karachi floods in Pakistan
's financial centre, Karachi
, have killed at least 26 people. The death toll is expected to rise, and more than 150 people have been injured in a series of related incidents. The floods are the result of the worst rains in the region in thirty years. Further extreme weather is expected in the region.
Hundreds of homes were also damaged. Those killed either drowned, were electrocuted or died under collapsing roofs. A bit of a building's sixth floor collapsed in Ramswami—debris dropping onto a nearby house, killing four members of a family and injuring 10. Several others were injured as a result of a roof collapse in the Orangi area and two people died in a similar incident. Eleven people were injured after a house wall fell through in Manghopir. Seven people were electrocuted in separate sections of Karachi. One resident reported the death of his neighbor's son to Reuters
, saying he drowned in a drain and his body was pulled out. Knee-deep water stranded several thousand people in their homes for several hours. Commercial markets were waterlogged and several hundred vehicles were trapped on the city's roads.
Most of Karachi had no electricity on the night of 18 July 2009. Relief efforts are ongoing as water is removed from residential areas.
According to Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry
, the country's chief meteorologist, Pakistan's commercial hub received 14.7 cm (6 in) of rain between the evening of 17 July and the morning of 19 July. However, the rains began around two weeks later than usual and thus are expected to lead to a 30% reduction in rainfall for the 2009 season.
But then another monsoon system was expected to lash the city which was to generate very heavy rains and the citizens were still recovering from the last monsoon rains which broke the record of 1977 rain in Karachi, which was of 207 millimetres (8.1 in). However it only dumped 18 millimetre (0.708661417322835 in) rain and the system dissipated quickly on 26 July. Then on August 30 and 31 sudden heavy rains started to lash the city which dumped 147.7 millimetres (5.8 in) rain, Thus again Karachiites were forced to spent the night sleepless due to power breakdown and thousands were forced to end their fasting in traffic jams, as it was the holy month of Ramazan
.
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
's financial centre, Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, have killed at least 26 people. The death toll is expected to rise, and more than 150 people have been injured in a series of related incidents. The floods are the result of the worst rains in the region in thirty years. Further extreme weather is expected in the region.
Hundreds of homes were also damaged. Those killed either drowned, were electrocuted or died under collapsing roofs. A bit of a building's sixth floor collapsed in Ramswami—debris dropping onto a nearby house, killing four members of a family and injuring 10. Several others were injured as a result of a roof collapse in the Orangi area and two people died in a similar incident. Eleven people were injured after a house wall fell through in Manghopir. Seven people were electrocuted in separate sections of Karachi. One resident reported the death of his neighbor's son to Reuters
Reuters
Reuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...
, saying he drowned in a drain and his body was pulled out. Knee-deep water stranded several thousand people in their homes for several hours. Commercial markets were waterlogged and several hundred vehicles were trapped on the city's roads.
Most of Karachi had no electricity on the night of 18 July 2009. Relief efforts are ongoing as water is removed from residential areas.
According to Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry
Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry
Prof. Dr. Qamar-Uz-Zaman Chaudhry is a Pakistani meteorologist and research scientist. He is the current Vice President of World Meteorological Organisation. He was retired from the position of Director General of Pakistan Meteorological Department on 13 September 2010. He is a researcher in the...
, the country's chief meteorologist, Pakistan's commercial hub received 14.7 cm (6 in) of rain between the evening of 17 July and the morning of 19 July. However, the rains began around two weeks later than usual and thus are expected to lead to a 30% reduction in rainfall for the 2009 season.
But then another monsoon system was expected to lash the city which was to generate very heavy rains and the citizens were still recovering from the last monsoon rains which broke the record of 1977 rain in Karachi, which was of 207 millimetres (8.1 in). However it only dumped 18 millimetre (0.708661417322835 in) rain and the system dissipated quickly on 26 July. Then on August 30 and 31 sudden heavy rains started to lash the city which dumped 147.7 millimetres (5.8 in) rain, Thus again Karachiites were forced to spent the night sleepless due to power breakdown and thousands were forced to end their fasting in traffic jams, as it was the holy month of Ramazan
Ramazan
The word Ramazan is used to refer to several different things:*People:** Ramazan Tavşancıoğlu, Australian football player** Ramazan Kurşunlu, Turkish football player** Ramazan Ramazanov, Russian kickboxer...
.