Karachi ill-equipped for incoming rains

KMC officials say situation gets out of control if the city receives more than 50mm of rain

KARACHI: Officials of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation have expressed fear that the expected rainfall from Saturday to Monday will completely paralyse life in the city as the major thoroughfares and smaller streets will be chocked by stagnant rain water.

One of the precautionary measures taken for clearing the roads is the installation of dewatering pumps, besides the cleaning of storm water drains and nullahs.



According to KMC officials, the situation gets out of control if the city receives more than 50mm of rain. The KMC has 12 dewatering pumps to clear the rainwater from roads, five of which will be installed on Sharae Faisal, three in Surjani Town, one at Governor’s House and the remaining three at three underpasses present on the signal-free corridor.

According to experts, if it rains up to 200mm in Karachi, Sharae Faisal, Korangi Expressway, Nagan Chowrangi, Sakhi Hassan, Do-Minute Chowrangi, Banaras Chowk, Old City area, Shaheen Complex, Fawara Chowk near Governor’s House, Hassan Square, Liaquatabad no.10 and all under passes in the city will be badly affected and the flow of traffic will be disturbed in these areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2019.