Karachi has broken a 41-year-old April rainfall record after receiving 38.7 mm of rain in just 24 hours, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) confirmed on April 3, 2026. This heavy downpour surpassed the previous record of 37 mm set on April 2, 1985.
The unexpected rain brought a rare winter-like chill to the city. The minimum temperature dropped to 16°C, about 5.8°C below the usual April average. Many residents enjoyed the cool weather, but the sudden change also caused problems.
Low-lying areas such as Safoora Chowrangi and Hassan Square faced serious flooding. Heavy rain led to power outages in many neighbourhoods and created severe traffic jams across the city.
Rescue services reported that rain-related incidents claimed seven lives over two days. Most deaths occurred due to electrocution in areas like Surjani Town, PIB Colony, and Gulistan-e-Jauhar.
The PMD said the heavy rain has now eased. Only drizzle or showers are expected today, with no major rainfall forecast. City authorities have declared an emergency and are working quickly to drain floodwater and clear roads to restore normal traffic flow.
While the rain provided some relief from the usual April heat, it once again highlighted Karachi’s poor drainage system and weak infrastructure.
Experts say better planning and regular cleaning of drains are needed to avoid such problems in the future. For now, life in Karachi is slowly returning to normal after this record-breaking rainy spell.
