The Karachi monsoon season has begun raising fresh concerns over urban flooding as slow storm-water drain cleaning and decades of poor planning continue to threaten Pakistan’s largest city ahead of expected rainfall.

Monsoon rains have started affecting different parts of the country, while the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) expects Karachi to receive rainfall between July and September. Although the PMD forecasts below-normal rainfall this year, experts warn that even moderate showers can overwhelm the city’s drainage system.

Historical records show that as little as 15 millimetres of rain can disrupt daily life in Karachi, flooding roads, halting traffic and affecting business activity for hours.

Yasir Hussain, Director of the Climate Action Centre, said the city’s annual drain-cleaning campaign has failed to deliver a lasting solution.

“Drain cleaning is only a temporary measure,” Hussain said. “Karachi needs a comprehensive rainwater harvesting system, including injection wells, rooftop storage and small dams to capture rainwater instead of allowing it to flow into drains and the sea.”

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He also called for restoring natural waterways and removing encroachments from storm-water drains to reduce flooding, recharge groundwater and improve the city’s long-term water security.

Regional planner Dr Syed Nawaz-ul-Huda blamed Karachi’s recurring urban flooding on decades of unplanned development, weak governance and neglected infrastructure.

He said rapid urbanisation, illegal settlements, encroachments, unauthorised sewer connections and widespread garbage dumping have severely damaged the city’s natural drainage network.

“Karachi’s drainage system can no longer cope with even moderate rainfall,” Dr Nawaz-ul-Huda said. “The city needs an empowered local government, funding based on its actual needs, sustainable rainwater harvesting, regular drain maintenance and strict enforcement against illegal dumping.”

He warned that damaged roads and ongoing development projects could worsen traffic disruption during the rainy season despite forecasts of below-average rainfall.

According to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), 19 locations regularly experience severe waterlogging during heavy rain. These include Tower, PIDC, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Shaheen Complex, Jinnah Bridge on Shahrah-e-Faisal, Nursery, Karsaz, Natha Khan, FTC Flyover, the Falaknaz area near Karachi Airport, Gurumandir, Business Recorder Road, Old Sabzi Mandi, Civic Centre, NIPA Chowrangi, Rashid Minhas Road, Stadium Flyover, Liaquatabad No. 10 Flyover and Karimabad Flyover.

The KMC also identified Nagan Chowrangi, Banaras Chowrangi, KDA Chowrangi, Yousuf Goth in Surjani Town, Safoora Goth, Saadi Town, Palm Village in Malir, Amroha Society, Thaddo Dam and Lal Basti as areas that frequently experience flooding during the monsoon.

Information obtained by The Express Tribune further highlighted Jahangir East and West, Martin Quarters, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Block 13-D, Saddar, Korangi Industrial Area, Qayyumabad Chowrangi, Kausar Niazi Colony, Arafat Town, Batha Town, Noorani Mohalla, Liaquatabad, Water Pump, Shafiq Mor, Sharafabad, PECHS Block 6, Mohammad Ali Society, Adamjee Nagar, Dhoraji, Dawood Chowrangi, Korangi Causeway, Kharadar, Bolton Market, Soldier Bazaar, University Road, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Cheel Chowk in Lyari, Hassan Lashkari Village and Dariyabad among locations at risk of flooding this year.

A KMC official said the city’s annual drain-cleaning campaign began on June 29 and will continue until the end of September.

KMC maintains 45 major storm-water drains, while town administrations oversee another 512 smaller drains. The official said authorities are working with local administrations to remove blockages across the drainage network before peak monsoon rainfall.