KARACHI:( The COW News Digital )- As residents in the country’s most populous city brace for heavy monsoon rains ahead, Karachi’s decaying infrastructure—and its drainage system in particular—raise concern.
The infrastructure in the city of 18-million people is already under strain, with rapid, unchecked urbanisation and widespread corruption further exacerbating issues.
Long gone are the days when the City of Lights was the country’s intellectual centre. At one point, its streets and roads were even washed with water. And yet, while now water is its most scare resource, regular flash flooding during monsoons cripples the city.
Municipal Commissioner Afzal Zaidi disclosed that critical choking points in the Landhi and Korangi drains were deliberately obstructed with sacks; this raises the potential for severe flooding.
Authorities claimed that they recovered 35 sacks from approximately 12,000 drains near Lucknow Society.
With the heavy monsoon rains looming, the Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed all “relevant institutions” to remain vigilant and take “immediate” action to mitigate the impact of the expected showers across Karachi.
The Sindh CM stated that officers needed to be present on-site to monitor the drainage process effectively and ensure that any blockages are addressed.
Murad Ali Shah also instructed the traffic police and other departments to collaborate under a unified strategy to maintain smooth traffic flow during the upcoming rains.
He mandated the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), Karachi Metropolitan Corporations (KMC), and district administration to implement emergency measures for the timely drainage of rainwater; particularly, in low-lying areas most vulnerable to flooding.
Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had issued warnings of flash floods in low-lying regions across the country, including Karachi.
The Met Office had advised residents to take precautionary measures to mitigate potential damage from the expected flooding.
Recent rainfall statistics from various areas in Karachi over the last 24 hours indicate heavy rainfall. Gulshan Hadeed and Gulshan-e-Maymar recorded 37 mm of rain.
Rainfall at the University Road was recorded at 37 mm. PAF Base Faisal received 31 mm, and Nazimabad saw 20.5 mm.
Other area such as North Karachi recorded 29.8 mm, Korangi 25.2 mm, and Orangi Town 19.4 mm. Saadi Town experienced the highest rainfall at 47.5 mm, followed by DHA Phase 7 with 25.5 mm.
Kemari recorded 19.5 mm, Jinnah Terminal 29.2 mm, and Surjani received 58.2 mm.
PAF Masroor Base and Bahria Town reported lower amounts of 10 mm and 6.3 mm, respectively.
Flash floods claimed lives in Multan, where four members of a single family were killed. The victims, four sisters and their niece from Hassanabad, had gone for a picnic when they were caught in the floodwaters.
Reports indicate that the driver and one sister sustained injuries during the incident. The bodies of the deceased are expected to return to Multan on Sunday for burial.
