Karachi’s Recurring Flood Crisis: A Chronicle of Neglect

The severe flooding that paralyzed Karachi following this week’s heavy rainfall is not a new phenomenon. Since 1990, Pakistan’s largest city has repeatedly suffered from urban floods during the monsoon season. However, minimal advancement has been made in addressing this persistent problem.

For over three decades, major roads like Sharea Faisal and II Chundrigar Road have been severely impacted by the city’s inadequate drainage system. Each instance of significant rainfall transforms these key routes into waterways. Experts suggest that this recurring issue highlights prolonged inattention from past municipal administrations.

Historical Flooding Events
  • 1992: Even affluent areas such as Clifton and Bath Island experienced prolonged waterlogging, while commercial centers like II Chundrigar Road and Sharea Faisal were brought to a standstill.
  • September 2011: Approximately 140 millimeters of rain fell, inundating major roadways and revealing the weaknesses in Karachi’s drainage infrastructure.
  • August 2020: The city experienced its worst flooding, with over 230 millimeters of rainfall in a single day. II Chundrigar Road and Sharea Faisal were completely submerged, resulting in over 40 deaths and extensive financial losses.
  • July 2022: Consecutive days of substantial rainfall led to office closures and traffic disruptions on the city’s busiest roads.
  • February 2024: Unusual rainfall caused nearly 700 electricity grid failures, with the two main roads again experiencing flooding.
Underlying Issues

Analysts consistently identify the same fundamental problems: a non-functional drainage system, unmanaged urban expansion converting Karachi into a “concrete jungle,” widespread encroachment on stormwater drains, and the growing effects of climate change.

Prior to the 2025 monsoon season, the NDMA and independent specialists cautioned that Karachi risked another catastrophe if its drains were not adequately cleared.

On August 19, these warnings materialized as significant rainfall overwhelmed the city, once again submerging Sharea Faisal and II Chundrigar Road and demonstrating the inadequacy of the municipal response.