Rescue operations continue: Army helps save residential localities, grid station

Dealers cry as cattle market submerges in rainwater

KARACHI: The largest cattle market in Karachi submerged with rainwater leaving animals and traders helpless. The de-watering process, if delayed, would cause millions of rupees loss to cattle dealers who annually rush to the market from various parts of the country.

The dealers complained that the administration was indifferent to the prevailing situation, alleging their animals were dying and it was difficult for them to come out of the situation.

Owing to downpour in hills and overflow of the Lat Dam located in Gaddap Town the rainwater which hit various villages on Tuesday afternoon, swamped Super Highway and blocked the traffic flow towards upcountry from Karachi. Thousands of containers were stuck up in traffic for hours.



Though the traffic flow resumed early Wednesday morning, Northern Bypass remained disconnected from the main Super Highway as breaches occurred at different points on the road.



Cattle market

Water coming from different drainage outlets on the main Super Highway entered into the cattle market, submerging it completely by Wednesday morning. Cattle dealers kept struggling to move animals from one point to another. To keep animals dry and clean from the dirt, many traders did not even unload animals from trucks.

On the other hand, rice husk, grown fodder crops and other animal feed items were destroyed with rainwater. Dealers claimed that the local administration was not helping them. Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Ahmed Shalwani however, said that the dewatering process had begun. It will take a few days to bring the situation to normality, he added. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Shalwani said that the administration could provide an alternative place to animal dealers if they request the administration.

Residential colonies, villages submerged

The incessant downpour that continued on Monday and Tuesday wreaked havoc in West district. Most residential colonies of Scheme 33, including Abdullah Shah Ghazi Goth, Madina Colony, Saadi Garden, Qureshi Society, Mohammad Khan Goth, Gulshan-e-Usman and adjacent localities and submerged on Wednesday morning.

Hundreds of families were stranded in their houses in Abdullah Shah Ghazi Goth and Madina Colony. Women and children were seen staying at rooftops of their homes as the water had flooded their houses.

Owing to the overflow of Lat Dam and Thado Dam, dozens of villages on the other side of Super Highway were disconnected. All roads leading to smaller villages remained submerged with water till Wednesday late evening while the local administration claimed that all relevant agencies were engaged in the rescue operation.

Rescue and Relief

Area residents said no relief and rehabilitation efforts were undertaken by the administration which had earlier claimed that it would provide relief, and rehabilitate the affected soon. "Currently, the rescue operation is underway. Relief and rehabilitation work would be started soon after the rescue operation is completed," said Shalwani.



Meanwhile, Pakistan Army personnel vigorously took part in the rescue work in Karachi and Hyderabad. They shifted affected families to safer places and built a 800 metre-long temporary safety wall to limit the flow of water.

Electricity

K-Electric's grid station of 220KV located in Scheme 33 suspended its supply to parts of Sohrab Goth, Abdul Hassan Isphani Road, Super Highway and other areas. According to KE, the supply was suspended as a precautionary measure.

Pakistan Army personnel were called in and they helped the local administration to ensure that water does not enter the grid station. 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2019.