PAKISTAN: Rains kill more than ten in Karachi

Traffic in Pakistan's commercial capital grinds to a halt after heavy rains flood streets and homes. Heavy rain fell on Karachi on Thursday (August 10), killing 10 people and disrupting much of the city's infrastructure. The torrential rains also cut off power supply in most parts of the city. Motorists and pedestrians faced major problems as roads were inundated and few public vehicles could make it through the water. Local weather officials said more rain is expected in the next 36 hours, as the storm was moving westward towards the southwestern province of Baluchistan. Several vehicles broke down on the main road causing major traffic jams. Much of the city centre was in chaos as the rainwater damaged homes and goods in shops in low-lying areas. The slum areas were among the worst affected. "I am hungry, we have no clothes and no home-- the rain is pouring down and we are without shelter," said Hajra Bibi. Many government buildings, schools and colleges were shut for the day after the overnight rainfall. In June this year, heavy winds and rain wreaked havoc in Karachi, killing more than 220 people. Every year thousands of people are killed and hundreds of thousands made homeless across South Asia by months of monsoon rains which are vital for farmers and the wider economy but which leave a trail of destruction in their wake. ENDS.

ITN Source | August 9, 2007

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