Karachi’s relationship with the monsoon is complicated. For years, the city has approached each rain spell with a mix of anticipation and anxiety — hoping for relief from the sweltering heat, but dreading the ripple effects: waterlogged streets, choked storm drains, and traffic chaos that can paralyze daily life.
Over the past two days, as light to moderate showers swept across the city, the electricity supply held up in many key areas. Where interruptions did occur, the restoration process appeared notably faster and more targeted. Residents in areas like FB Area Block-20, Ancholi Society, Al-Noor Society and sectors of North Karachi reported a quick resumption of service — some within an hour of the rain easing.
According to the company’s official update issued at 3:30 PM on June 28, over 1,930 of its 2,100+ feeders remained active and uninterrupted. At the peak of the rain spell, a maximum of 170 feeders were impacted, with most located in low-lying or high-risk areas — where supply is often temporarily suspended for safety reasons.
In many such locations, water accumulation and urban drainage issues continue to pose serious safety hazards. As a precaution, KE temporarily suspended power in select low-lying areas and on circuits with a high prevalence of theft through illegal hook (kunda) connections, in order to prevent any untoward incidents. Understanding this urban reality is key: delays are often linked to safety considerations, not inefficiency.
Recognizing the complexity of the city’s infrastructure, Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited several areas during the rain, sharing a recorded video on Facebook that highlighted on-ground drainage work and traffic flow during the downpour. His visibility during the monsoon reinforced the importance of civic leadership during rainfall contingencies.
To its credit, K-Electric has maintained for several years a live social media feed, providing frequent updates on outage-affected feeders and restoration progress. While not a new feature, it has evolved into a valuable lifeline for residents — keeping people informed and engaged without having to rely on call centers or hearsay.
Alongside operations, the utility also emphasized public awareness, reiterating key safety messages: “Avoid contact with low-hanging TV and internet wires, entangled cables, streetlight poles, and wet switches to stay safe during and after the rains.” These advisories, though simple, can have a life-saving impact in a city as dense and exposed as Karachi.
While the situation in Karachi remained relatively stable this time, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued an urban flooding alert on June 27 at 5:51 PM, warning of continued rain activity over the next 24–48 hours across the country. The alert specifically mentioned risk zones in Sindh (Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Tharparkar, Badin, Umerkot) and Punjab (Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Mianwali). These alerts are a reminder that while the response has been encouraging, continued vigilance remains essential.
Restoration, especially during rains, is never an instant process — particularly in a city where urban drainage, waterlogging, and accessibility challenges complicate even the best-laid operational plans. Yet, the swift response in many localities, the consistent field presence, and the digital transparency shown through live updates are all signs of a system striving to stay ahead of the curve.
In this particular monsoon spell, Karachi didn’t just withstand the weather — it responded with coordination and calm. And in a city as dynamic — and at times volatile — as ours, that alone is worth recognizing.
