This week, Karachi finally received rain that it had longed for, breaking a stretch of hot and humid weather. Light rain commenced in areas like Saddar, Malir & Chaurangi on Tuesday afternoon. Before long, significant areas of the city were drenched as roads became slick in the grey skies above..
By evening, the rain picked up pace in some neighbourhoods. Riders on motorcycles pulled to the side, many taking shelter under shop awnings and flyovers. A few roads in low-lying zones showed signs of water collection. In places like Korangi and Quaidabad, locals reported heavier rain, though it didn’t last long enough to cause major disruption — at least for now.
“It’s about time,” said Rehan, a shopkeeper in the central district. “The heat was driving us crazy. Even this light rain feels like a blessing.”
Children could be seen playing in the streets, kicking up water and shouting with joy — a scene that repeats every year when Karachi’s monsoon finally rolls in.
But not all were celebrating. Traffic moved slower than usual. At some intersections, visibility was poor, and roads became slippery. “The first rain always exposes the city’s problems,” said one commuter. “It’s just a few minutes of rain, and you start seeing motorbikes skidding.”
Officials from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation said they were prepared. Drainage teams had already been dispatched to clear clogged spots and monitor runoff. In past years, similar rains have led to flooding in parts of the city — a concern that still lingers.
An official of the Pakistan Meteorological Department said that rain is going to last for at least 48 hours. The official said the monsoon system is still active over Sindh and will bring moderate to heavy rain to Karachi.
A number of people from Karachi posted videos on social media showing the rain rustling the roofs, the trees bending in the wind, and a group of people waiting together to fit in the covered part of the bus stop. Some residents posted funny memes, regarding the traffic jam, and residents were warning each other to watch out for the flooded streets.
This early monsoon wave has brought both smiles and sighs. For many, the relief from heat is welcome. But the underlying worry remains: can the city’s fragile infrastructure handle another round?
For now, Karachi waits — umbrellas in hand, hoping the joy of rain doesn’t turn into another season of chaos.
