KARACHI: Two persons lost their lives as rain pummeled Karachi on Friday, causing structural collapse, turning the city roads and streets into rivers, and bringing the power transmission system to a halt. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast that rain-wind-thundershowers are expected in Sindh and Northeastern Balochistan and South Punjab for Saturday (today). It said heavy falls may generate urban flooding while flash flooding in local nullahs of Sindh and Eastern Balochistan.
A number of drains were blocked, and filthy water entered the low lying residential localities, as citizens complained that the civic agencies remained unmoved, leaving them at the mercy of heavy rains. Main roads such as the KDA Roundabout, Five Star Chowrangi, Nagin Chowrangi, and roads and streets in Sarjani Town have been flooded.
Two persons lost their lives due to lightening strikes at Memon Jokhio Goth near Damloti Road. Police said the ill-fated youths have been identified as Shahnawaz son of Rashid Mallah and Sultan son of Karim Bux.
The met office recorded rainfall in Sarjani 170 MM, North Karachi 88 MM, Nazimabad 86mm, Gulshan-e-Hadeed 77mm, Masroor Base 46mm, Landhi, University Road 21mm, Jinnah Terminal 18mm, Faisal Base 14mm, Met Observatory 07mm, while Badin 27mm, Thatta 23mm, Mithi 22mm. Tando Jam 10mm, Dadu 09mm, Diplo 04mm, Padaidan 03mm, Hyderabad, Chachro02mm.
Areas such as Landhi, Bin Qasim, Malir, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, North Nazimabad, Ancholi, II Chundrigar Road, DHA, and Federal B Area saw both heavy and light showers with thunder.
Reports suggest that rainwater entered the residential areas in Baldia Town and Buffer Zone. Filthy water entered shops in Orangi Town's Aligarh Market, and houses in Shadman Town. Footages circulating on social media show that a number of cars and motorcycles sinking in rainwater in North Karachi, while water started stagnating in North Nazimabad's Block F and B areas.
Looking at the situation in Karachi, it seems there is no government or local administration to look after sewerage and drainage system in the metropolitan city during rainy season. Sindh govt has given ample evidence of incompetence and mismanaged governance, PTI Karachi chapter posted on its social media page.
"Sindh government has wasted development funds for 12 long years. Can anyone notice a Rupee spent. For how long the central government could maintain Nalaz of Karachi?? Sindh govt neither likes interference nor wants to work," a citizen Usman tweeted.
Following the rain, electricity supply to various city neighborhoods was suspended. KE urged its customers to be mindful of the issues Karachi infrastructure faces due to encroachment and water logging. In certain areas, such as Orangi Town, Sohrab Goth, North Nazimabad, North Karachi, Liaquatabad, Baldia town, it was necessary to shut down power due to water logging.
Areas rife with water logging are at risk of becoming hazardous electrocution zones due to the possibility of fallen internet and TV cables, plus power poles that may fall because of trees that fall on power infrastructure when uprooted. During the recent rains, the power utility was forced to deliberately suspend power supply to more than 350 feeders in severe water logging areas and presence of kundas in the interest of ensuring public safety.
KE appeals to the relevant civic authorities to coordinate with one another to ensure that the necessary protocols, such as clearance of the drainage system, removal of encroachments on infrastructure, pruning of overgrown foliage and other preventative measures, are followed.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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