The Karachi thunderstorm deaths and rain emergency deepened after at least 19 people were killed when a powerful storm with gale-force winds swept through the city on Wednesday night. Authorities have now warned that more heavy rain may hit Karachi in one to two additional spells later today.
Rain and thunderstorms began late Wednesday, damaging infrastructure, uprooting trees and causing multiple fatal incidents across the city. Showers continued on Thursday, with light rain reported in North Karachi, North Nazimabad, Federal B Area and nearby localities.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department said clouds currently over the sea could move toward Karachi, bringing rainfall of 50mm or more along with thunderstorms and strong winds. However, wind speeds are expected to be lower than the severe gusts recorded a day earlier.
Many of the deaths were caused by collapsing walls and roofs during the storm. In Baldia Town’s Mawachh Goth, rescuers recovered 13 bodies from a collapsed building, while search operations continued overnight for more people believed to be trapped under the rubble.
At least 16 people have died after heavy rain and thunderstorms lashed the Pakistani port city of Karachi overnight, according to an ambulance service pic.twitter.com/nwMB4ltXl3
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 19, 2026In a separate incident in Landhi’s Majeed Colony, a wall collapsed, killing two people, including a woman, and injuring three others. Another man died after being struck by lightning near Yaru Goth in the Malir River area.
A woman was also killed when the roof of her house collapsed in Korangi’s Sector 3½. Elsewhere in Korangi No 5, another man died after a tree fell on him. Rescue officials said at least seven people were injured in various rain-related incidents across Karachi.
PMD Warns More Heavy Rain May Hit Karachi
The Met Office said rainfall could range from moderate to heavy in different parts of the city today. The highest rainfall recorded on Wednesday was 55.6mm in Korangi.
Wind speeds reached 90 kilometres per hour on Sharea Faisal and 97 kilometres per hour in Mauripur, according to the PMD. The department also said incidents of billboards collapsing had been reported and that the administration had been alerted in advance about the risk of strong winds.
Pakistan Weather Update
Highest: 38°C (Mithi)
Lowest: -2°C (Leh)
Cold in northern areas, mild weather in major cities.#PakistanWeather #Temperature pic.twitter.com/hEr7fIgnHo
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) March 19, 2026Despite the destruction, cooler and more pleasant weather was reported across the city after the storm. Karachi remained cloudy on Thursday, with temperatures expected to stay between 27°C and 29°C and humidity at 82%.
Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab urged residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel, warning that many trees had fallen due to strong gusts.
In the Buffer Zone, residents reported long power outages since around 9 pm on Wednesday. A K-Electric spokesperson said supply remained active on about 1,840 of the city’s 2,100 feeders, while around 260 feeders were still affected by rain.
The weather department also forecast rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and isolated hailstorms in other parts of Sindh, including Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur and Larkana. It warned that isolated lightning strikes could occur during the forecast period. The PMD added that another spell of westerly winds between March 24 and 27 may bring more rain to Karachi and other parts of Sindh.
