Karachi receives moderate to heavy showers
Commuters face heavy traffic jam on newly reconstructed Sharae Faisal
The sharp, low rumble of thunder echoed in the city as lightning struck Monday evening in Karachi. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN
KARACHI:
The city received moderate to heavy showers Monday afternoon in most of its areas as a result of low pressure lying in Bay of Bengal. The rains mitigated the temperature in Karachi, resulting in a pleasant weather.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department spokesperson, Abdul Rashid, the highest rainfall was recorded in Landhi at 6mm, while in Gulistan-e-Jauhar and airport area it was recorded at 2mm. In Clifton, the rainfall was measured to be 3mm.
Rashid added that the rain system will continue until Wednesday, resulting in moderate to heavy showers in the city. Eastern parts of the province, including Thatta, Badin and Tharparkar, will also receive rains due to the system.
Mayor declares rain emergency in Karachi
Heavy traffic jam
As a usual result after rains, the city's traffic turned into a mess on Monday, especially on Sharae Faisal and its surrounding roads. Despite the government's claims that the newly-constructed Sharae Faisal was well-equipped to deal with rains, commuters had to suffer heavy traffic jam on the road.
According to a traffic police official deployed at Sharae Faisal, Muhammad Ibrahim, the traffic jam occurred because rains started just before rush hours. He added that traffic personnel were carrying duties on various roads to guide citizens.
Sharing their ordeal with The Express Tribune, the commuters stated that the traffic jam on Sharae Faisal worsened due to the newly built Munawar Suharwardy Shaheed Underpass at Drigh Road.
'Rain will continue with similar intensity’
Muhammad Farhan Khan, a banker by profession, said that during the inauguration of the underpass, tall claims were made that this would provide great relief to the traffic. However, it is only useful in taking selfies with the huge portraits of animals that are displayed on its walls, he added.
"Our leaders can easily commute in helicopters. Therefore, they are not aware of the stress we go through while returning to our homes after a long day at work," said Abdul Basit, a resident of Malir. He added that such cosmetic developments in the city were not meant to provide relief to the citizens but only to show off for the next general election.
Basit shared that he had no other alternative route and had to use Sharae Faisal to commute in whatever the condition the road is. "It is like a bad fate that insults me on daily basis," he said, adding that the government should focus on mass transit system as it can be an alternative to private cars being used by the citizens and will help reduce the traffic of the city.
A week after rain: SC orders cleanliness in Karachi
Civic authorities
Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar has directed the relevant officials to remain alert due to forecast of rains in next two days in Karachi.
He said the municipal bodies should keep all necessary machinery in the working condition and the staff should start drainage of rain water immediately after rains so that the residents of Karachi could be saved from any trouble owing to accumulation of rainwater.
Akhtar added that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, in consultation with the district municipal corporations, has chalked out a strategy that will ensure swift measures for drainage of rainwater. He further directed the relevant authorities to focus on draining water from the underpasses in the city.
He hoped that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board will take measures to ensure that no sewerage overflow results after the rains.
The city received moderate to heavy showers Monday afternoon in most of its areas as a result of low pressure lying in Bay of Bengal. The rains mitigated the temperature in Karachi, resulting in a pleasant weather.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department spokesperson, Abdul Rashid, the highest rainfall was recorded in Landhi at 6mm, while in Gulistan-e-Jauhar and airport area it was recorded at 2mm. In Clifton, the rainfall was measured to be 3mm.
Rashid added that the rain system will continue until Wednesday, resulting in moderate to heavy showers in the city. Eastern parts of the province, including Thatta, Badin and Tharparkar, will also receive rains due to the system.
Mayor declares rain emergency in Karachi
Heavy traffic jam
As a usual result after rains, the city's traffic turned into a mess on Monday, especially on Sharae Faisal and its surrounding roads. Despite the government's claims that the newly-constructed Sharae Faisal was well-equipped to deal with rains, commuters had to suffer heavy traffic jam on the road.
According to a traffic police official deployed at Sharae Faisal, Muhammad Ibrahim, the traffic jam occurred because rains started just before rush hours. He added that traffic personnel were carrying duties on various roads to guide citizens.
Sharing their ordeal with The Express Tribune, the commuters stated that the traffic jam on Sharae Faisal worsened due to the newly built Munawar Suharwardy Shaheed Underpass at Drigh Road.
'Rain will continue with similar intensity’
Muhammad Farhan Khan, a banker by profession, said that during the inauguration of the underpass, tall claims were made that this would provide great relief to the traffic. However, it is only useful in taking selfies with the huge portraits of animals that are displayed on its walls, he added.
"Our leaders can easily commute in helicopters. Therefore, they are not aware of the stress we go through while returning to our homes after a long day at work," said Abdul Basit, a resident of Malir. He added that such cosmetic developments in the city were not meant to provide relief to the citizens but only to show off for the next general election.
Basit shared that he had no other alternative route and had to use Sharae Faisal to commute in whatever the condition the road is. "It is like a bad fate that insults me on daily basis," he said, adding that the government should focus on mass transit system as it can be an alternative to private cars being used by the citizens and will help reduce the traffic of the city.
A week after rain: SC orders cleanliness in Karachi
Civic authorities
Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar has directed the relevant officials to remain alert due to forecast of rains in next two days in Karachi.
He said the municipal bodies should keep all necessary machinery in the working condition and the staff should start drainage of rain water immediately after rains so that the residents of Karachi could be saved from any trouble owing to accumulation of rainwater.
Akhtar added that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, in consultation with the district municipal corporations, has chalked out a strategy that will ensure swift measures for drainage of rainwater. He further directed the relevant authorities to focus on draining water from the underpasses in the city.
He hoped that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board will take measures to ensure that no sewerage overflow results after the rains.