KARACHI: City's drainage system collapsed after the second downpour of monsoon on Friday afternoon, inundating roads and streets to jam business, commercial and civic life.
Immediately as the rain started, many neighborhoods experienced power outage, which continued for many hours even after the rain stopped. Water accumulation on roads caused massive gridlock at Saddar, I I Chandrighar Road, Kharadar, Burns Road, North Karachi, Nazimabad, Gurumandir, Sharea Faisal, Dalmia, Nipa, Hassan Square, Gulshan Malir, Tariq Road, Jahangir Road, Teen Hatti, MA Jinnah Road etc. Citizens termed this grim situation as negligence of civic agencies particularly Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KW&SB) in draining out the rain water.
The civic agencies appeared inefficient to deal with the rain challenge as dewatering machines installed at key intersections, major choking points, underpasses and low-lying areas could not remove water and waste that was littered on the roads.
Citizens said they lodged complaints of water accumulation at their respective areas but the authorities remained indifferent. "It's Karachi where incompetent corrupt PPP has been governing for the last 12 year. Still little rain turns all roads into canals. There isn't any derange system at any road actually PPP doest own the capital of Sindh," said a citizen Azhar Khan.
The worst rain hit areas include DHA, Saddar, Jamshed Road, Model Colony, Clifton, Malir, Gulistan-e-Johar, Dhoraji, Bahadurabad, PECHS, Soldier Bazaar, University Road, Gulshan-e-Hadid, Abdullah Haroon Road, Shah Faisal Colony, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Fawwara Chowk, M A Jinnah Road, and Garden.
K-Electric (KE) has cautioned people to maintain at least 3 meters distance from power infrastructure including poles, transformers, downed cables, low-hanging power lines and trees that have fallen on power lines. In addition, cognizant of the high numbers of electrocution incidents occurring inside homes, KE has also advised that electric sockets/switches and electrical devices/equipment such as water pumps and motors should not touched if exposed to water or rain and young children in particular should be kept under close watch.
"Karachi is the most versatile city, it can transform into a pond within a few seconds of giving you a whole new experience. Amazing how the engineers have achieved this feat," another citizen tweeted.
Earlier, Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast another spell of monsoon rains in Karachi and other parts of Sindh from July 16, "Karachi and Hyderabad likely to receive rainfall with Dust/Thunderstorm on 17th July."
The gusty winds uprooted a tree near the Karachi Press Club (KPC) and fell on vehicles; however, no injury was reported.
Sindh Minister for Local Government and Information Syed Nasir Hussain Shah other day had directed all local government officials to continue the process of cleaning all storm drains in the city.
Shah had issued instructions to the municipal commissioners for liaison and monitoring in their respective districts in this situation.
The provincial government has already declared rain emergency in all the districts and therefore orders issued to all the municipal and deputy commissioners to overcome any kind of uncertainty.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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