Heavy rains cripple Karachi; businesses, schools closed

KARACHI: Floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains crippled Pakistan's biggest city and commercial hub of Karachi on Tuesday, with few people able to make it to work or school.

In Karachi, the capital of Sindh, rain was forecast through Wednesday at least.
Rains that began Monday evening still continuing in the city. The convoy of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was also stuck.

Many streets were impassable, cars were stuck, several fuel stations were inundated and no visible efforts were underway to drain water.

"We have recorded 50-100 mm (2 to 4 inches) of rain in Karachi and the situation is pretty bad. Many main roads and areas are inundated at the moment and it can turn even worse," said Mohammad Hussain Syed, the city's district coordination officer.

He said no casualties had been recorded.

The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) will close at the usual 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, reversing an earlier decision to close at noon because of floods in Pakistan's commercial capital, an exchange official said.

"I thought I would be able to make it to work, but it was a wrong decision. Now I am stuck. My car has broken down and I can't even find anyone for help," said banker Khalid Hussain, standing knee-deep in water. (The News Pk)