Effervescent lessons

More than 90 people were, on Friday, affected by a gas leak at a polyvinyl chloride manufacturing plant at Port Qasim in Karachi, prompting an evacuation from the facility. SEPA, the Sindh Environment Protection Agency, subsequently directed the administration of the plant to shut it down pending further investigation. The plant administration claims that timely measures were taken to protect the employees as well as residents in adjoining areas. Doctors at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, where most of the gas leak affectees were rushed, say that about 55 patients were discharged after being provided first aid while 15 were admitted.

This is the second time in two months that a gas leak has had its toll on people. Last month, a mysterious gas leak, in the Kemari neighbourhood of the metropolis, caused nearly two dozen deaths, while nearly 100 people had been affected. The occurrence of the Port Qasim gas leak just days after the one in Kemari shows that the government has learnt little in terms of preparedness for disasters and adopting emergency measures. This is somewhat also visible in the delayed quarantine reaction to suspected coronavirus patients arriving from abroad.

While SEPA made swift moves in case of the Port Qasim gas leak, there is no word yet from the environment protection agency on the Kemari incident – something that shows a lack of concern for the lives of citizens on the part of these protection agencies. It is better to meet a disaster prepared rather than to react to it. Therefore, the disaster management agencies of the country must not only develop integrated disaster management procedures but also proactively implement these standard operating procedures to ensure that public lives and properties can be protected. SEPA and the relevant industry regulators must also ensure regular inspection of industries and buildings, especially those in a dilapidated condition. One tool that can be used, especially in industrial settings, is the emergency button connecting the industries with local rescue services. This has become easier to implement with the advent of digital technology, and we must use all available tools to protect our citizens.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2020.

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