Karachi on high alert ahead of rain

Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar has put all relevant departments of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, including hospitals, the fire department and other rescue service providers, on high alert ahead of the monsoon spell expected to lash the city from Thursday to Saturday.

During a meeting to review the measures on Tuesday, Akhtar asked all relevant departments and district municipal corporations to keep machinery and staff on standby as the Pakistan Meteorological Department had predicted heavy rains while also warning of urban flooding.

He further directed officers of the engineering, parks and other departments to be on duty to facilitate citizens in the event of any untoward situation.

"The draining process should begin immediately, while dewatering pumps should be shifted to underpasses and other similar spots [at risk of flooding]," said Akhtar, adding that the rain emergency centre should also be made functional around the clock.

Meanwhile, he also asserted that the Sindh Building Control Authority should keep a vigilant eye on structures declared dangerous, adding that the residents of these buildings should follow precautionary measures during the upcoming downpour.

"There is a dire need to expedite the work of desilting drains, as the city cannot afford more urban flooding," he said, adding that the desired results could not be achieved unless all the relevant authorities worked together.

Akhtar reiterated that he had been approaching the federal and provincial governments for several years in attempts to draw their attention to the threat of urban flooding in various areas of Karachi due to blocked stormwater drains.

He added that citizens could approach the district administrations or the citizens complaints emergency centre at 1399 in case of any emergency.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2020.