Karachi: The torrential rains on Tuesday severely interrupted industrial operations in Karachi, with many factories unable to resume afternoon and night shifts due to urban floods, road blockages and transport shortage.
The rains also delayed export shipments, since merchandise carriers could not move due to flooded roads and overflowing Nullah.
The industrial sector, which generally operates in three shifts, faced significant interruptions. The morning shift was only partially affected, but the torrential downpour in the afternoon led to generalized floods, which caused a high detention to the second and third shift. Many industrialists had to reprogram the export shipments planned for the night, while some were forced to delay deliveries until Wednesday.
The president of the Korangi Trade and Industry Association (Kati), Junaid Naqi, said that 20-30 percent of workers in more than 4,000 industries in Korangi could not work due to the rains. Those who arrived chose to leave early when the rains worsened in the afternoon.
“In general, productivity in the area was 50 percent lower because the workers left early,” Naqi said, added that many workers were stranded on the roads due to the submersion of the main roads.
In addition, many workers’ children were also trapped in their educational institutions late at night, which further aggravated the situation. Industrial operations are generally in three turns of eight hours, but the absence of workers due to the rains led to the cancellation of the afternoon and night shifts.
The president of the Site Industry Association (SAI), Ahmed Azeem Alvi, informed that although the production remained normal in more than 3,500 units, many workers that remained at 4 pm, only to be trapped in the traffic caused by flooded roads and overflowing gutters. “The workers in particular faced serious difficulties due to the lack of public transport at night,” said Alvi, added that the cancellation of the changes would raise problems for export -oriented industries.
Alvi also pointed out that some workers had been forced to stay in the factories due to road closures and transport scarcity. “It is disappointing that no authority in the city has assumed the responsibility of managing the drainage system, despite Karachi’s vital role in revenue generation,” he said.
Sheikh Mohammad Tehseen, president of the FBA (FBATI) area industry association, said assistance to more than 1,000 units in the FB area decreased 20-25 percent. He predicted that Wednesday would be even more challenging, since many workers who had fought to return home on Tuesday may not be able to work depending on the weather. “If the rains continue for another two or three days, industrial production will be seriously affected,” Tehseen warned.
In the retail sector, commercial activity in the area of the old city, home with more than 10,000 stores, was almost insignificant. Sharjeel Gopalani, a boss pattern of All City Tajir Itehad, said that many store owners stayed at home after the morning rains, while those who presented themselves at 3 pm as rainwater markets flooded.
Haji Shahjehan, president of the Falahi Anjuman wholesale vegetable market, reported that the tread of customers in the new Subzi Mandi Super Highway market had been very low due to the strong downpour. In addition, Upcountry vegetable supplies were delayed.
With more rain forecast for the next few days, the industrial sector and retail markets in Karachi face an uncertain future, since generalized floods continue to hinder both production and transport.
The president of the Association of Commerce and Industry of Northern Karachi (Nkati), Faisal Moiz Khan, said that the 80pc of the 4,500 units in the area stopped production due to the absenteeism of the workers. With 70 % of the export -oriented Nkati industries, the suspension of second and third shifts will cause large interruptions. He added that rain and road closures have severely affected the supply chain of goods and raw materials.
Posted in Dawn, August 20, 2025
