Karachi – Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab has issued a serious warning regarding the city’s vulnerability to heavy rainfall amid rising sea levels. In a statement, the mayor acknowledged that managing the flow of rainwater has become increasingly difficult due to the unusual rise in seawater levels and poor drainage infrastructure in the city.
Wahab explained that because of the high tide, seawater is already flowing from the creeks into Nehr-e-Khayam. If the city is hit by intense rainfall, the combined flow of rainwater and seawater will present a major challenge for authorities. “This is not just about rainwater anymore; the rise in sea levels is a new and growing threat for Karachi,” he cautioned.
The warning comes as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast heavy downpours in Karachi. According to PMD spokesperson Anjum Nazir, the monsoon system currently active over Sindh has developed into a deep depression. This stage, just short of a tropical cyclone, brings intense cloud formations, heavy rainfall, and strong winds. The system’s current center is located over Tharparkar, but it is expected to affect Karachi directly over the next 24 hours.
Meteorologists explained that such deep depressions are capable of producing winds between 60 and 70 kilometers per hour. “This system has the capacity to unleash heavy rainfall in Karachi this afternoon and more so tomorrow,” said Nazir. The most alarming aspect is that the system will pass very close to Karachi, intensifying its impact.
The forecast indicates that Karachi could receive over 100 millimeters of rainfall during this spell. With fragile urban infrastructure and poor drainage, the possibility of urban flooding in low-lying areas is very high. Residents have been urged to stay indoors during periods of heavy rain and avoid movement near poorly built structures or under-construction sites.
PMD officials warned that the city’s damaged infrastructure and unplanned settlements make it highly vulnerable. Roads and underpasses could be submerged, while neighborhoods located in depressions are expected to experience prolonged waterlogging. “The system’s strength and its passage near Karachi increases the chances of disruption across the city,” the spokesperson added.
Karachi has long suffered from inadequate drainage and outdated civic planning. Each monsoon season highlights the city’s inability to cope with heavy rain, leading to flooded streets, traffic paralysis, and public health risks such as waterborne diseases. Mayor Wahab’s acknowledgment that the rising seawater levels are already spilling into inland waterways adds a new dimension to the crisis, as the city now faces a dual threat – internal flooding from rain and external intrusion from the sea.
The situation recalls previous years when torrential rains paralyzed Karachi for days. In 2020, for instance, nearly 500 millimeters of rain in a single season overwhelmed the city, leaving thousands stranded, damaging property, and exposing major governance failures. Although recent efforts have been made to clear storm-water drains and improve pumping stations, experts argue that much deeper, long-term solutions are needed, particularly as climate change intensifies monsoon patterns and raises sea levels.
Environmentalists warn that Karachi, being a coastal megacity, is particularly at risk of climate-driven disasters. Rising sea levels combined with erratic monsoon rainfall patterns threaten to make flooding a recurring crisis. Without massive investment in resilient infrastructure—such as upgraded drainage systems, flood barriers, and stormwater reservoirs—the city will continue to suffer from paralyzing floods each year.
The mayor’s warning highlights the need for immediate coordination among the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), provincial authorities, and federal disaster management bodies. Civic agencies must be on high alert with dewatering pumps, rescue teams, and emergency medical services ready. Meanwhile, citizens have been advised to stock essentials, avoid unnecessary travel during rains, and follow official advisories.
As Karachi braces for the upcoming storm, the challenge is not only one of disaster management but also of long-term urban planning. Unless structural reforms are made to upgrade infrastructure, manage urban sprawl, and adapt to rising climate risks, each monsoon spell will continue to push Karachi closer to crisis.
