Torrential rains across the country have significantly increased the risk of widespread flooding. In Hyderabad, a mere one-hour downpour five days ago inundated the entire city, and despite four days of nonstop drainage efforts, only 90% of the water has been removed. Areas such as Ghoshala, Phuleli and Preetabad still remain waterlogged.
Many residents have been injured due to open manholes and broken roads. The absence of functional streetlights exacerbates the danger during dark, rainy nights.
Even today, most urban areas lack functional water filtration plants. Those that do exist supply water unfit for consumption. Over the past 78 years, neither municipal governments nor local bodies have succeeded in providing clean drinking water.
This raises several urgent questions:
Does the Sindh government have any proactive flood response plan?
If drainage systems are outdated, what hinders the development of new ones?
Is there a regular, effective mechanism for cleaning rainwater channels before the monsoon?
What stops authorities from removing illegal encroachments on drainage lines?
Open manholes remain a lethal hazard. Children, women and motorcycle riders continue to fall into them and suffer injuries or death, while local authorities turn a blind eye. Political interference continues to obstruct administrative efforts, rendering even well-intentioned initiatives ineffective.
If no survey is conducted in advance to identify vulnerable mud houses and relocate residents to safer areas, the risk of significant casualties remains high. The concerned departments must provide alternative housing to at-risk families. Existing vacant units in government housing schemes in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana can be allotted on easy instalments and terms.
Urban governments and local bodies in Sindh have completely failed to deliver. They lack planning, capability and resources to keep cities habitable. Most municipalities have no functional fire brigades or equipment to clear debris in emergencies. Although funds are allocated monthly at the Union Council level for minor civic works, they are misused or only exist on paper.
The Sindh Chief Secretary must immediately instruct all Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, the Irrigation Department, local bodies, the Building Control Authority and Disaster Management Authorities to prepare and coordinate starting now — to avoid a repeat of past disasters and protect lives and property.
Emergency and monitoring centres must be established at divisional and district levels. Embankments must be reinforced and monitored round the clock. Only then can we hope to minimise damage and fulfil our duty to the people.
Tariq Majeed
Hyderabad
