Dawn Images

The past few days have been devastating for Pakistan. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir have been battered by calamitous floods that have killed at least 670 people since the monsoon season began in June. Entire villages have been swallowed up, and landslides have ripped through vital infrastructure. While the country was reeling from these disasters, Karachi was hit by yet another monsoon flood — dubbed “unprecedented” despite being an all-too-familiar tragedy for its residents.

While climate change undeniably plays a role in the intensity of these rains, in urban cities like Karachi, the excuse of “unprecedented weather” no longer holds weight. Flooding has become a yearly norm, and the government’s failure to take adequate measures — from functional drainage to timely urban planning — has left citizens helpless and angry.

On Tuesday, heavy downpours claimed at least eight lives in Karachi, flooding neighbourhoods, knocking out power for hours, paralysing flight operations at Jinnah International Airport, and leaving people stranded on roads that turned into rivers. Major arteries like Sharea Faisal, MA Jinnah Road and II Chundrigar Road were submerged, with vehicles abandoned mid-commute as fuel ran low.

In some areas, like Soldier Bazaar, high-rise buildings were inundated up to the first floor, and 80 residents had to be rescued. Women trudged through waist-deep water to get home from work, in some cases taking over 10 hours.

As images of the chaos spread, celebrities took to social media to express frustration, grief and solidarity with Karachiites.

Activist Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr pointed to Karachi’s natural geography and man-made neglect as the root of the problem. “Our Karachi is drowning, heavy rainfall and a lack of initiative to fix the city’s infrastructure. Contractors work and pocket money while the very geography of the city is built on river deltas and flood plains, places naturally designed to collect and most importantly drain water,“ he wrote in an Instagram post.

Musician Shuja Haider echoed similar frustrations but framed them as a crisis of governance and accountability. “Karachi is in dire need of justice. I question whether elections can truly bring change to what was once the city of lights. This megacity has regressed, feeling more like a small town in Sindh than the bustling metropolitan and business hub it should be.“

Haider added that those responsible for this “chaos, frustration, and the tragic loss of life during these natural disasters should be ashamed.”

Actor Mawra Hocane lamented, “A city that is home to so many, a source of income for so many, a reason to dream for so many, is drowning. And this is NOT the first time… my heart goes out to Karachi and to everyone suffering. Be safe, praying for you.”

Rapper Talha Anjum aimed his ire at the Sindh government’s misplaced priorities, quipping, “Karachiites, don’t fear, the ajrak number plate won’t let your car or bike drown!” referring to the new licence plates that have become a running joke on X.

Singer Farhan Saeed compared the city to Lahore and sort of blamed its residents for putting up with the neglect (as if they had a choice). “My heart cries for Karachi, the people of Karachi. But again, you guys keep living with it, they’ll keep making you live with it. In comparison, you see Lahore and you’d know the difference. I wish I could see Karachi rising to what its beautiful people actually deserve. Be safe!”

Actor Mariyam Nafees, while horrified by the scenes, highlighted people’s resilience. “Dreadful urban flooding scenes all around us, but I’m SO PROUD of Pakistanis — some opening their homes, businesses offering shelter, people stuck in traffic sharing snacks.”

Actor Hina Altaf described the misery firsthand. “What a heartbreaking day. Floods everywhere, no electricity, loved ones stranded for hours. Cars, rickshaws, and streets drowned, gutters overflowing. This wasn’t just rain; it was yet another reminder of how vulnerable we all are in this city.”

Others directed their anger straight at the authorities. Sanam Saeed tagged government accounts demanding “answers and solutions,” while Aiman Khan asked bluntly, “What is our government doing!?”

Meanwhile, Madiha Imam kept it short.

Host Dino Ali posted a heartfelt note that read more like an apology to the city: “Dear Karachi, I’m sorry that in 2025, just one morning of rain was enough to paralyse you… I’m sorry that we still treat the monsoon, a predictable season, as if it were an unexpected tragedy… I’m sorry that relief never comes with the downpour — only chaos, fear, and zero accountability.”

The provincial administration eventually announced a public holiday in Karachi on Wednesday to “avoid inconvenience,” but residents, as always, are left wondering why such measures are reactive rather than preventive. Each year, the cycle repeats: rain arrives, drains collapse, lives are lost, and only temporary fixes are offered.

If there’s one thing the voices of Karachi’s people and celebrities underline, it’s that climate change is real, very much so, but it cannot excuse decades of neglect. Until governments treat urban flooding as a governance failure rather than an act of God, Karachi will keep drowning, and its people will keep paying the price.