Monsoon rain kills 16 in southern Pakistan

AFP, Karachi

At least 16 people, including four children, were killed and 27 others were injured after the first torrential rains of the monsoon lashed Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, officials said Sunday.
The heavy monsoon rain, which started early Saturday, brought much of the city to a standstill as power and communication systems were badly affected and hundreds of people were forced from their homes.
Metrological officials said more rain was due in the next 24 hours in southern Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital.
"Sixteen people were killed and 27 injured as rain lashed the city. We fear a rise in the death toll as rain is still continuing," police chief Haneef Mohammad Javed told AFP.
The dead included five women and four children, Javed said, adding that a seven-month-old infant was among those who perished.
"Four people were electrocuted, two drowned and the rest died as the roofs of their houses caved in," he said, adding: "We have moved several people to safer places."
The city's mayor Mustafa Kamal told AFP he had received reports that a number of people had died and dozens been hurt but did not give exact figures.
"I am visiting the affected areas. Several people have been killed so far. We are trying to control the situation," he said.
A senior metrological official in Islamabad said that the overall monsoon rain would be low.