And things took a turn for the worse: Karachi is currently facing a major issue with swarms of flies. The insects are present in every part of the city, from neighborhoods to markets to shops, affecting everyone. They are a nuisance on the streets, entering and exiting buildings and vehicles, and settling on various surfaces, including food and people. The city has experienced both fly infestations and flooding in the past, and Dr. Seemin Jamali, executive director of one of Karachi's largest public hospitals, stated that this current fly infestation is the most severe she has ever seen. "There is a large presence of flies and mosquitoes," she stated. "It is not only impacting the everyday lives of people - they are so frightening; they are harassing individuals. It is impossible to walk without disturbance due to the abundance of flies all around." 

Flies can be seen on items at a market in Karachi, Pakistan, as of August 28, 2019. The largest city in Pakistan experienced heavy rainfall, poor drainage, and a waste management issue - resulting in an infestation of bugs. Despite efforts to fumigate the city, the flies persist, leading to increasing frustrations among residents. The city's ongoing issues with garbage and drainage are receiving renewed attention and frustration, as political factions continue to use them against each other. Karachi, Pakistan, faced heavy rains, poor drainage, and a garbage problem, leading to a surge in bugs. Experts believe the infestation was caused by stagnant rainwater mixing with garbage on the streets and waste from animals slaughtered during Eid al-Adha. Noman Ahmed, a water expert, stated that the recent rainfall was not unusually heavy. Jamali stated that the heavy rains in Karachi exposed the city's ongoing issues with urban development, sewage, solid waste management, and water contamination. The city's natural drains are being used as dumping grounds for solid waste, causing significant problems. If similar weather patterns continue, Karachi could face complete dysfunction. In addition, the unsanitary conditions have led to an increase in various medical ailments and diseases including malaria, gastroenteritis, typhoid, dengue fever, the chikungunya virus, respiratory disorders, and Congo fever. Flies cover a man's hat in the Bohri Bazaar in Karachi, Pakistan on August 28, 2019, due to heavy rains, poor drainage, and a garbage problem in Pakistan's largest city. Vendors in the area are trying to keep the flies away by fanning their wares, as flies swarm in and out of shops and settle on various items such as fabric and towels. One resident acknowledged the community's role in the issue, pointing out how dumping sacrificial animals' offal onto the streets has contributed to the piles of garbage in the area. Muhammad Ismail Siddiqui, 54, a vendor who sells traditional sweets such as jalebi and gulab jamun, had taken precautions by covering them with clear plastic to protect them. Siddiqui expressed concern about the presence of flies, stating that they are not just a seasonal problem. He mentioned that in the past, the government used to organize fumigation drives early in the day to address this issue, but now there is no such support available. Siddiqui feels helpless as his business has suffered greatly due to the lack of intervention. "Anyone who arrives simply observes the presence of flies." 

Flies are abundant in a meat market located in the Empress Market in Karachi, Pakistan, as depicted in a photo taken on August 28, 2019 by Mustafa Hussain for The New York Times. The city of Karachi has been plagued by heavy rains, poor drainage, and a garbage issue, leading to a widespread infestation of bugs. The city's politicians have been criticized for their handling of the situation, with sanitation becoming a focal point for political debate and manipulation. Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, is currently facing challenges such as heavy rains, poor drainage, and a garbage problem which has led to an increase in bugs. The ruling party in the national government, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is trying to strengthen its presence in Karachi to compete with the traditional provincial powerhouse, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). A local legislator from PTI initiated a "Let's Clean Karachi" campaign, indirectly holding PPP responsible for the garbage issue. PPP senator, Saeed Ghani, argues that the campaign has worsened the situation with poorly managed cleanups. The task of truly cleaning up Karachi, where garbage is often seen piled up on roadsides and empty plots, would be a difficult and costly endeavor. The city of Karachi generates approximately 12,000 tons of waste on a daily basis. With a population of over 15 million, the city's resources and infrastructure have struggled to keep pace with rapid expansion, population growth, and changes in lifestyle. Karachi is also experiencing similar vulnerabilities to climate change as the rest of Pakistan. Recent heavy rains, poor drainage, and a garbage problem have led to an increase in flies infesting produce markets in the city. Karachi's administration is intricate and divided, with waste management and municipal services overseen by separate agencies. The city has buildings built over drains and certain areas, even upscale neighborhoods, are managed separately as cantonment areas. Recently, Karachi has been facing issues with heavy rains, poor drainage, and a garbage problem, leading to an increase in bugs in various parts of the city. Ahmed, an expert on water issues, stated that Karachi's livability is decreasing and the city is in need of a sanitation emergency to address the backlog of waste in streets and drains. This would require provincial resources and cooperation among politicians. Ismail Lalpuria, a furniture trader in the Arambagh area of Saddar, expressed frustration with the abundance of flies affecting his business. He stated that all the political parties are engaging in politics without actually doing any productive work.