At least 13 people, including four children, were killed as the metropolis was battered with heavy rainfall on Thursday after initial light showers a day before. Heavy rainfall started late Wednesday night, resulting in disruption of power supply to many areas of the city. The highest amount of rainfall was recorded at 130.3mm in Nazimabad, followed by Masroor base which received 125mm of rain. PAF Faisal base received 41mm of rain while Gulistan-e-Jauhar received 37mm of rain. Heavy rainfall is expected to lash the metropolis until today. The downpour, and subsequent inundation of major roads and streets resulted in low attendance in offices and led private schools to announce a holiday late Wednesday night. The downpour not only resulted in closing down of around 90 per cent of the city’s markets but also led to a halt in traffic on the link road of National Highway and Super Highway as the Goods’ Transport Association decided its vehicles would stay put till the situation improves.
As per ISPR press release Karachi administration requested the army for assistance in light of the torrential rain in the city. COAS has directed for the provision of complete assistance for helping citizens. Following the heavy rains, Pakistan Rangers troops reached Super Highway and Nazimabad, and carried out rescue work.
Mayor Waseem Akhtar said that several water drains are filled with waste though they are not made for the purpose of garbage disposal. He said that the solid waste management and water board departments are part of the Sindh government, and the government should ensure that the drainage systems are not used for garbage disposal.
Rain is regarded as a blessing but for citizens of most cities in Pakistan it brings misery. The government suffers loses of billions every year due to rain and floods but finds it hard to spend a few millions to fix the glaring deficiencies that result in the massive losses. It is alarming that despite raising issue time and again Sindh government has not done anything substantial to improve the situation. Local authorities should carry out work on widening the drains to tackle the post-rain situation. There is dire need to upgrade and clean drains to ensure swift drainage of water.
Karachi needs a new sewerage system as the present one has been completely destroyed.
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