July 30, 2008	Wednesday	Rajab 26, 1429

KARACHI, July 29: Almost the whole of Karachi plunged into darkness for second time in less than 24 hours on Tuesday evening after a late Monsoon outbreak dumped 53 milimetres of rain.

Two people were killed and more than two dozen injured in rain-related incidents in the city. However, unconfirmed reports put the death toll at seven.

The showers wreaked havoc on the Karachi Electric Supply Company’s frail distribution network, which had barely recovered from a bout of breakdowns following a light drizzle on late Monday night.

There were complaints of blackouts from virtually all parts of the city, including the posh Clifton and Defence areas.

The city’s traffic network was clogged after rainwater flooded roads, causing traffic jams and gridlocks lasting hours.

Till late in the night, many localities were without electricity.

The KESC claimed it was facing a shortfall of 500 megawatts while the total demand was at 2,350MW. Officials said they needed the 500MW supply from Wapda.

Thirty-year-old Sakina was killed when the wall of her house collapsed in Pahar Ganj while 23-year-old Ayaz Ahmed was electrocuted in Kali Market in the New Karachi Industrial Area.

The Met Dept has forecast overcast weather for Wednesday with the possibility of more rain.