Karachi faces electricity suspension after heavy rains

Intermittent heavy rains in different parts of Karachi since Monday evening have inundated many areas of the city, bringing life to a complete halt.

To top it all off, the electricity supply in most areas of the city has been suspended for several hours, making it difficult for people to carry on their day-to-day activities.

Sindhi Muslim Cooperative Housing Society (SMCHS) Block B has been without power for the last 24 hours, while residents of DHA's Khayaban e Badban say the supply of electricity has been suspended for the last 36 hours.

According to Geo News, rainwater accumulated on the main roads and streets of the Defense Housing Authority (DHA), Clifton, Malir, Airport Road, I.I Chundrigar Road, Saddar, Old City Area, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Federal B Area, North Nazimabad, Korangi, and PECHS.

In addition to residential areas, several main roads of the city, including the NIPA Chowrangi Flyover, Qayyummabad Chowrangi, Arts Council Chowrangi, Supreme Court Registry, Zainab Market, Bolton Market, and MA Jinnah Road have been flooded with rain and sewerage water, affecting the flow of traffic.

Meanwhile, several vehicles and motorcycles broke down on the streets because of the accumulated water.

Owing to the incessant rains throughout Monday, several phases of DHA became flooded with water.  These include Tauheed Commercial Area, Ittehad Commercial Area, Khayaban e Shamsheer, Muslim Commercial, Sea View, Badr Commercial, Saba Avenue, Khayaban e Bahria, 26th Street, Khayaban e Mujahid and Khayaban e Tanzeem were also submerged.

According to the report, rainwater entered many houses, damaging furniture and other household items.

Meanwhile, stagnant water outside the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) — the largest cardiology hospital in the city — made it difficult for ambulances to travel back and forth.

The Clifton submarine underpass and the KPT underpass had to be closed due to flooding, while rainwater also entered houses in certain areas of Liaquatabad and Bihar Colony of Lyari.

According to meteorologist Jawad Memon, a new rain system is moving toward the city, which is likely to bring more heavy rains to Karachi within the next few hours.

Meteorological analysts say that rain clouds from the Arabian Sea are moving toward the city continuously, therefore, there is a possibility of intermittent rain till tomorrow evening.

Meanwhile, three people lost their lives due to electrocution when lightning struck the Garden Shoe Market and Korangi's Bilal Colony during the rain.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department released Monday's rainfall data of Karachi from 6am to 11am, according to which the heaviest rainfall, measuring 126.6mm, was recorded in DHA Phase II.

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Sri Lanka prime minister's office confirms president to resign after protests

Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has informed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that he will resign, the prime minister's office said on Monday, after tens of thousands of protesters stormed the official residences of both men.

After Saturday's sweeping protests in the wake of a debilitating economic crisis, the speaker of parliament said Rajapaksa would resign on Wednesday. However, there has been no direct word from Rajapaksa on his plans.

Wickremesinghe has said he would also step down to allow an all-party interim government to take over.

Leaders of the protest movement have said crowds would keep occupying the residences of the president and prime minister in Colombo until they finally quit office.

Colombo, Sri Lanka's largest city, was calm on Monday as hundreds of people strolled into the president's secretariat and residence and toured the colonial-era buildings. Police made no attempt to stop anyone.

"We are not going anywhere till this president leaves and we have a government that is acceptable to the people," said Jude Hansana, 31, who has been at a protest site outside the residence since early April.

"The people's struggle is for wider political reforms. Not just for the president to leave. This is just the start."

Another protester, Dushantha Gunasinghe, said he had travelled to Colombo from a town 130 km (80 miles) away, walking part of the way because of the fuel crunch. He said he finally reached on Monday morning.

"I'm so exhausted I can barely speak," said the 28-year-old as he sat on a plastic chair outside the president's office. "I came alone all this way because I believe we need to see this through. This government needs to go home and we need better leaders."

Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe were not in their residences when the protesters surged into the buildings and have not been seen in public since Friday. Their whereabouts are unknown.

Wickremesinghe's private home in an affluent Colombo suburb was set on fire, and three suspects have been arrested, police have said.

Constitutional experts say once the president and prime minister formally resign, the next step would be for the speaker to be appointed as acting president and for parliament to vote for a new president within 30 days to complete Rajapaksa's term that was to end in 2024.

Ordinary Sri Lankans have mainly blamed Rajapaksa for the collapse of the tourism-dependent economy, which was hammered badly by the COVID-19 pandemic and a ban on chemical fertilisers that was later reversed.

Government finances were crippled by mounting debt and lavish tax breaks given by the Rajapaksa regime. Foreign exchange reserves were quickly depleted as oil prices rose.

The country barely has any dollars left to import fuel, which has been severely rationed, and long lines have formed in front of shops selling cooking gas. Headline inflation in the country of 22 million hit 54.6% last month, and the central bank has warned that it could rise to 70% in the coming months.

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Djokovic tames fiery Kyrgios to continue Wimbledon love story

Novak Djokovic stayed serene amid a frenzied atmosphere to tame fiery Australian Nick Kyrgios in an engrossing final on Sunday, lifting a seventh Wimbledon trophy and taking his Grand Slam title count to 21.

Rallying from a set down, Djokovic exhibited ice-cool nerves in sweltering conditions to win 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6(3) for his fourth consecutive trophy at the grasscourt major to close in on Rafa Nadal's record 22 major crowns.

Competing in a men's record 32nd major final on a sun-bathed Centre Court, the 35-year-old was facing an unseeded opponent who had never been beyond the quarter-finals at a Grand Slam before this fortnight.

In their only two previous meetings, both in 2017, Djokovic did not win a set, did not once break the Kyrgios serve and had only a single break point opportunity.

Five years later, it was another sublime serving performance from the Australian in the early stages and he did not allow Djokovic any look at his delivery in the opening set, getting 77 per cent of his first serves in and firing down seven aces.

A couple of well-disguised drop shots from Kyrgios helped him set up two breakpoints in the fifth game and a double fault from Djokovic brought up the first break of serve, which was enough for the unseeded Kyrgios to take the lead.

Focused from the start, Kyrgios, however, did not forget to entertain the crowd when he could. There was an underarm serve and he hit a return on the half volley between his legs to delight the Centre Court crowd.

No one, however, expected it to be an easy straight-sets match with Djokovic having not lost a match on the manicured lawns at the All England Club since he retired injured during his 2017 quarter-final against Czech Tomas Berdych.

Djokovic's delivery went up a gear and the Serb slowly but surely started demonstrating why he is considered the best returner in the sport.

He would have been hoping to read the Kyrgios serve better and for his opponent's level to drop and once it did in the fourth game of the second set, Djokovic was ready to pounce.

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Family who heckled me have apologised, Ahsan Iqbal

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Sunday said that the family of PTI supporters who had heckled him two days prior has "apologised" and "expressed remorse and embarrassment".

In a tweet accompanying a photo with the family who had visited him at his residence, the minister wrote: "The family involved in the incident came to Narowal and apologised for their actions in our meeting and expressed remorse and embarrassment."

Iqbal said that he had already announced he "won't be taking legal action against them".

"We are all Pakistanis. We must not turn the right to disagree with each other into hatred and must maintain mutual respect," he added.

Iqbal was heckled by a group of PTI supporters on Friday at a fast food restaurant where he had apparently gone for dinner.

The video of the incident showed people hurling abuses at the minister and quickly went viral on social media.

Later on, taking to Twitter, Iqbal wrote: “Today, a family — who apparently considered themselves elites and supported PTI — clashed with me.”

بھیرہ واقعہ میں ملوث فیملی نے نارووال آ کر ملاقات میں اپنے عمل پر معذرت کی،پچھتاوے اور شرمندگی کا اظہار کیا۔میں پہلے ہی ان کیخلاف قانونی چارہ جوئی نہ کرنے کا اعلان کر چکا تھا۔ہم سب پاکستانی ہیں ایک دوسرے سے اختلاف کے حق کو نفرت میں تبدیل نہیں کرنا اور باہمی احترام قائم رکھنا ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/Ck1z4YNqxs

— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) July 10, 2022

“Instead of holding a dialogue with me they started chanting slogans,” he wrote, adding that as a counter-attack, other people present at the restaurant also started chanting slogans against the PTI.

Criticising the PTI Chairman Imran Khan for "instilling hatred" among people, Iqbal wrote: “Just like their ignorant and lunatic leader, his supporters are following suit.”

Retweeting a condemnation tweet, the planning minister further said: “These people, who claim to be literate, are actually ignorant and fascist just like the followers of Hitler."

“We are neither going to get intimidated by them nor will we surrender because of them,” he wrote, adding that such people are "proof of PTI's mental bankruptcy”.

“Imran [Khan] is polarising the society at the behest of illicit funders,” he added.

Many Twitterati condemned the incident and called it a manifestation of the growing intolerance in Pakistani politics.

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Family who heckled me have apologised, Ahsan Iqbal

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Sunday said that the family of PTI supporters who had heckled him two days prior has "apologised" and "expressed remorse and embarrassment".

In a tweet accompanying a photo with the family who had visited him at his residence, the minister wrote: "The family involved in the incident came to Narowal and apologised for their actions in our meeting and expressed remorse and embarrassment."

Iqbal said that he had already announced he "won't be taking legal action against them".

"We are all Pakistanis. We must not turn the right to disagree with each other into hatred and must maintain mutual respect," he added.

Iqbal was heckled by a group of PTI supporters on Friday at a fast food restaurant where he had apparently gone for dinner.

The video of the incident showed people hurling abuses at the minister and quickly went viral on social media.

Later on, taking to Twitter, Iqbal wrote: “Today, a family — who apparently considered themselves elites and supported PTI — clashed with me.”

بھیرہ واقعہ میں ملوث فیملی نے نارووال آ کر ملاقات میں اپنے عمل پر معذرت کی،پچھتاوے اور شرمندگی کا اظہار کیا۔میں پہلے ہی ان کیخلاف قانونی چارہ جوئی نہ کرنے کا اعلان کر چکا تھا۔ہم سب پاکستانی ہیں ایک دوسرے سے اختلاف کے حق کو نفرت میں تبدیل نہیں کرنا اور باہمی احترام قائم رکھنا ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/Ck1z4YNqxs

— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) July 10, 2022

“Instead of holding a dialogue with me they started chanting slogans,” he wrote, adding that as a counter-attack, other people present at the restaurant also started chanting slogans against the PTI.

Criticising the PTI Chairman Imran Khan for "instilling hatred" among people, Iqbal wrote: “Just like their ignorant and lunatic leader, his supporters are following suit.”

Retweeting a condemnation tweet, the planning minister further said: “These people, who claim to be literate, are actually ignorant and fascist just like the followers of Hitler."

“We are neither going to get intimidated by them nor will we surrender because of them,” he wrote, adding that such people are "proof of PTI's mental bankruptcy”.

“Imran [Khan] is polarising the society at the behest of illicit funders,” he added.

Many Twitterati condemned the incident and called it a manifestation of the growing intolerance in Pakistani politics.

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Heavy rainfall sinks parts of Karachi

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast light to moderate showers in the metropolis today under the influence of a strong weather system as overnight showers sunk parts of the city including DHA and Clifton, ruining Eid-ul-Azha of the Karachiites.

Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz said the city is likely to receive intermittent light to moderate rain throughout the day due to a low-pressure's presence over the Arabian Sea.

The PMD official added that Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas will also be affected.

He said that cloudbursts cannot be predicted, adding that the current spell may weaken by July 13.

Light rain is expected in the city on July 12 and 13, Sadar Sarfaraz said, adding that another "strong" monsoon system is likely to enter Karachi from July 14.

Meanwhile, rescue sources said that two people died of electrocution in the Garden area.

Several main roads and streets were completely flooded as heavy rainfall once again exposed the city’s drainage system and the Sindh government’s claims regarding its rain emergency plans.

The city’s posh areas including DHA and Clifton were submerged due to heavy showers where rainwater entered homes with the masses slamming authorities for their negligence that has ruined their Eid.

Meanwhile, in a statement, MQM-P has lashed out at the Sindh government over its “failure” amid continuous heavy rainfall.

“Rains have once again exposed the state of Karachi's infrastructure. The city’s sewerage system is choked with roads giving a view of ponds.”

The MQM-P, a key partner in the Shahbaz Sharif-led coalition government, said citizens are suffering due to the incompetence of the Sindh government.

“Sindh government ministers and officials are celebrating Eid in their home areas.”

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Heavy rainfall sinks parts of Karachi

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast light to moderate showers in the metropolis today under the influence of a strong weather system as overnight showers sunk parts of the city including DHA and Clifton, ruining Eid-ul-Azha of the Karachiites.

Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz said the city is likely to receive intermittent light to moderate rain throughout the day due to a low-pressure's presence over the Arabian Sea.

The PMD official added that Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas will also be affected.

He said that cloudbursts cannot be predicted, adding that the current spell may weaken by July 13.

Light rain is expected in the city on July 12 and 13, Sadar Sarfaraz said, adding that another "strong" monsoon system is likely to enter Karachi from July 14.

Meanwhile, rescue sources said that two people died of electrocution in the Garden area.

Several main roads and streets were completely flooded as heavy rainfall once again exposed the city’s drainage system and the Sindh government’s claims regarding its rain emergency plans.

The city’s posh areas including DHA and Clifton were submerged due to heavy showers where rainwater entered homes with the masses slamming authorities for their negligence that has ruined their Eid.

Meanwhile, in a statement, MQM-P has lashed out at the Sindh government over its “failure” amid continuous heavy rainfall.

“Rains have once again exposed the state of Karachi's infrastructure. The city’s sewerage system is choked with roads giving a view of ponds.”

The MQM-P, a key partner in the Shahbaz Sharif-led coalition government, said citizens are suffering due to the incompetence of the Sindh government.

“Sindh government ministers and officials are celebrating Eid in their home areas.”

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