Monsoon weather in Karachi city has killed 26 people and cut power to most of the city.

Torrential rain flooded low-lying parts, damaging homes, downing power lines and inundating power grid stations.

Victims were either electrocuted, drowned, or had roofs collapse on them – and the figure is expected to go up.

[Abus-Sattar Edhi, Relief Organization Chief]:
“Today, in the morning, we received 17 dead bodies killed by heavy rains. Now, the number of fatalities has risen to 24.”

Almost all of the city was without power on Saturday, but efforts are also underway to restore traffic, electricity, and to pump floodwaters out of streets and homes.

Karachi, a city with a population of about 16 million, suffers from an outdated drainage system that leaves parts of the city vulnerable to flooding. 

Pakistan's chief meteorologist says the country's commercial hub received about 15 centimeters of rain between Friday and Sunday, but that the skies are expected to clear by the evening. 

The annual monsoon started about 15 days later than normal and will probably bring 30 percent less rainfall than usual this year. 

Flash floods cause extensive damage in the region every year. In 2007 about 250 people died from the monsoon.