Islamabad, Jul 30 (IANS): As many as 16 people died in Karachi and other parts of Pakistan's Sindh province as the first spell of monsoon rain wreaked havoc causing gridlock and flooding in several districts, officials said.

The two government-run healthcare facilities in the city received nine bodies on Monday. They lost their lives in rain-related incidents, Dawn newspaper reported.

Dr Seemi Jamali of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) said most of them died due to electrocution from open wires and power poles in the rain.

The city administration, divided between local and provincial governments led by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party, respectively, came under severe criticism -- first for inadequate preparation for rain and later for poor response to the damage caused.

On their part, both parties said the situation was not as bad as painted by the broadcast and social media, according to the report.

Seven people were killed in rain-related incidents in interior parts of the province. Four of them were killed by lightning in Badin and Hyderabad districts.