KARACHI: At least three persons lost their lives as the city on Sunday afternoon received heavy rainfall coupled with thunderstorms, playing havoc with the ill-maintained civic infrastructure, turning roads and streets into water pools, and leading to immediate power outage at various city neighbourhoods.
Several areas of the metropolis flooded with rain water mixed with sewage, while massive gridlock were seen at the major arteries including Shahrah-e-Faisal, University Road, Hassan Square, Nagan Chowrangi, Saddar, Gurumandir, Liaquatabad, UP Morr etc.
Three persons also lost their lives in rain-related incidents and electrocution at different parts of the metropolis. Osman, son of Muhammad Akhtar died of lightening strike near Radio Pakistan, in the limits of Shah Latif police station. His body was shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi.
Tariq, 27, lost his life after he fell into a rain drain at Orangi Town sector 11. The body was shifted to Abbasi Shahed Hospital (ASH) for medico-legal formalities. A teenage boy, Arbab, son of Muhammad Qasim died of electrocution in Gulshan-e- Hadeed.
The rain affected Eid sales, as customers who had decided to visit markets for shopping, had to change their minds due to heavy rain. The administration and traders at sacrificial animal market in Sohrab Goth (considered to be one of the largest cattle markets in the region) faced hardships while battling the rain and draining out the water.
The most affected areas due to the 3rd spell of the monsoon rain included Saddar, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Sharah-e-Faisal, I I Chundrigar Road, North Karachi, North Nazimabad, Safoora Goth, Defence and Clifton. According to the PMD, the highest rainfall was recorded in Gulistan-e-Johar, at 60 millimetres (mm), while 55mm was registered at Old Airport, 55mm in Pehlwan Goth, 42mm in Malir. In Saddar, rainfall was recorded at 43mm, while 26 mm was registered at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Faisal Base, 22mm in Nazimabad, 12mm at PAF Masroor Base, 8.8mm at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport, 3.1mm in Landhi, and 1.2mm in Surjani Town.
"As we get some rain, and the 7th largest city in the world grinds to a halt. Roads are flooded, cars sunk, people get electrocuted, power outages witnessed. Sindh government, DHA, Cantt Board etc please get your act together and resolve this now! We generate the most revenue in the country we deserve better," said a Karachiite Mehwish Hayat. A number of KE feeders were tripped. The KE said power supply of low lying areas has been shutdown due to waterlogging. "Our teams are working continuously so please be assured we aim to restore power as soon as it is safe to do so," said the power company on its social media page.
"The monsoon rain becomes a nuisance instead of a relief from the scorching heat for the people of Karachi because many of the city's areas sink in rainwater, resulting in terrible traffic," a citizen Saleem Baloach said,
The administration has asked that all sacrificial animals be kept indoors and away from electricity poles. An emergency has been imposed at hospitals across the city. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has advised people to stay away from electric wires and take precautionary measures to protect themselves.
Meanwhile, Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar visited different areas to review measures for draining out rain water. Akhtar said the situation in the city might have been different had the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation not removed encroachments from Gujjar nullah, Saddar nullah, Soldier Bazaar nullah, Mehmoodabad nullah, PECHS nullah and other nullahs.
The mayor said that he had requested Sindh government to expedite cleanliness of the drains and asked it to find a permanent solution. He said that the traffic flow in all KMC's underpasses is normal and the staffers were deployed for draining out the water on time.
"All departments of the KMC are on high alert to cope with any untoward situation and facilitate the citizens during the rains," he added.
Meanwhile, the Mayor directed Medical Superintendents of all hospitals under administrative control of the KMC to impose emergency and ensure presence of doctors and paramedics around the clock. He said that first aid should be given to those who are electrocuted or get injured without waiting for their family members to come.
"KMC's hospitals are centre of hope for poor people and all legal formalities should be adopted after treatment of the patients.Akhtar also asked Director City Wardens to deploy city wardens at different places of the city to ensure smooth flow of traffic. The mayor appealed to the people to adopt precautionary measures during rains and keep themselves away from electric poles and other electric installations.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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