KARACHI: The Sindh government has claimed to have taken all “adequate measures and is prepared to meet the expected heavy rains in the forthcoming monsoon season”, unlike the last year when Karachi, the provincial capital, remained submerged for several days.
The main choking points across the city have been cleared to avoid urban flooding, the Karachi admin has claimed. However, areas in Karachi Central District, like Orangi Town, are still in danger as the nullahs (storm drains) have not been cleaned. This could affect at least a million people living in the locality in the event of a heavy downpour.
In addition to this, areas of North Karachi, New Karachi, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, Asia Manzil, FB Areas, and Liaquatabad Town could be the most affected areas during the monsoon season that lasts till early September.
In case of heavy rains in the city like the previous year, it seems that the situation in Karachi would further deteriorate, as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) could not complete its work of clearing three big nullahs and small rain drains in different areas.
However, the city administration is claiming that all main choking points have been cleared by NDMA.
Giving details in this regard, Local Government Secretary Syed Najam Ahmad Shah said that as per the decision taken in the last cabinet meeting, a committee for cleaning of 41 drains of Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) and 514 drains of District Municipal Corporation (DMC) has been established and the members of the committee have been duly notified. He said that the committee will oversee the timely and transparent completion of the drain cleaning process.
Cyclone Tauktae
In the latest advisory given by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that Cyclone Tauktae is no threat to Pakistan.
However as a result of environmental conditions, the department has forecasted dusty thunderstorms with isolated moderate to heavy rain falls with gusty winds of 40-60 km/h in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Sanghar districts from May 17 to 19.
In 2020, Karachi saw a record-breaking rain spell due to which many people lost their lives. The city’s infrastructure remained under water for several days and a massive rescue and relief effort had to be done to have things back on normal.
