As heavy rains lashed Karachi on Thursday many roads and low lying areas of the city submerged under water. As flooded streets and roads with dirty muddy water, caused traffic logjams many parts of the city were also deprived of power with hundreds of feeders tripping across Karachi.
The major rainwater drains – including Gujjar Nullah, Mehmoodabad Nullah, Shadman 14/A Nullah, Golden Town Nullah, Korangi Nullah and Manzoor Colony Nullah – overflowed swamping the low-lying areas. The Katchi Abadis, or slums, were the worst hit where houses were flooded with knee-deeps rainwater. The underpasses built on different arteries, especially Liaquatabad Underpass, Gharibabad Underpass, Nazimabad Underpass, and Golimar Underpass, turned into swimming pools in the absence of proper drainage arrangements. Rain water also inundated the surroundings of Sindh assembly and secretariat building making it impossible to reach the main gate. At least nine people, including three children, lost their lives in rain-related electrocution and drowning incidents in the city.
Tall claims of municipal authorities were exposed as the city was virtually paralyzed. As the authorities faced pressure buck-passing started immediately with Deputy Mayor Arshad Vohra decrying the ‘lack of cooperation and support from the provincial government’.
It is also pertinent to mention here that National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday had reviewed precautionary measures for Monsoon season to stay safe from untoward situation. Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt General Umer Mehmood Hayat had convened the emergency meeting on the direction of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The rains in Karachi have once again exposed the poor planning by the municipal authorities. It was known in advance that heavy rains are expected in the city but little was done in this regard. Moreover there is an urgent need to upgrade the city’s infrastructure. Although the authorities tried their best in the aftermath of the rain spell but instead of reactionary measures the authorities should plan ahead and ensure that steps are taken in advances to minimize the miseries of the citizens in case of rains. With the monsoon season just starting, the coming weeks will see lengthy rain spells in various parts of the country. Authorities must plan ahead to avert a Karachi like situation.
There is an urgent need to upgrade Karachi’s infrastructure.
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