Sudden rise in water flow in Lyari and Malir rivers has once again raised the question as to why encroachments into riverbeds of the two rivers have been allowed by the authorities over the years.
An estimated half a million people have encroached on land on both sides of the two rivers over the years, building houses and hutments in areas that are prone to flooding by the two rivers when heavy rains occur in catchment areas including the Kirthar range.
In the Defence Housing Authority area, some encroachments into the original Malir riverbed have taken place over the past fourteen years.
It may be recalled here that when the Malir river rose in early 80s, areas of phase IV and phase VII were badly affected by flooding following which special bund was constructed to save the area.
Many people feel the Karachi City District government must undertake a survey of the entire course of Malir and Lyari rivers to establish early warning centres for floods in these two rivers.