Safety should always be the primary concern
QUETTA: A violent dust storm ravaged the city of Karachi on Wednesday night. Four people were killed and 12 others injured as a result of high-velocity winds that unexpectedly emerged due to the northwestern wind system in Balochistan.
Video evidence retrieved from citizens show dusty gales lashing buildings and houses, tearing down electrical polls and uprooting trees. The situation became so intense that an emergency was declared at the Karachi airport and scheduled flights had to be diverted till after 11pm. Wide-scale destruction across the city caused severe traffic jams in many areas while various houses went without electricity. The disaster management authorities had a tough time tending to the situation as the risk of getting infected with the coronavirus has significantly increased due to a rapid rise in the infection of late.
The authorities need to be extra cautious as they move to fix the faults and ensure that all SOPs are strictly followed in order to keep their staff out of harm’s way. Citizens also need to remain vigilant. Safety should always be the primary concern.
Sana Ahmed
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2020.
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