Monsoon rains — the good, the bad, the ugly

Rain does not necessarily bring devastation and leave destruction in its wake. Once, a mention of the monsoon evoked joyous memories, but now, picturing such a scenario may be near impossible for Karachiites, given the havoc the metropolis witnesses every time the heavens open.

But that is the nature of rain in Karachi. It comes and it goes, for better or for worse.

Of blight…

The port city's roads turn into rivers, it plunges into darkness under overcast skies and amid power breakdowns and citizens struggle as rainwater surges into their homes.

Even then, the condition here cannot be dubbed urban flooding, according to World Wildlife Fund-Pakistan (WWF-P) technical director Moazzam Ali Khan.

"Karachi has witnessed urban flooding only twice since Independence: in 1958 and 1977," he told The Express Tribune.

Recalling the anger of nature that hit the city in 1958, he narrated, "Several old city areas, especially Saddar and Lyari, were completely flooded, and many others submerged in water up to 11 feet. From Bihar Colony to Lea Market, all areas were underwater."

When the disastrous episode repeated in 1977, it particularly affected cantonment areas like Malir, where eight inches of rainfall was recorded in few hours, he recollected.

Speaking of the recent episodes of monsoon-related destruction in Karachi, Khan said it was merely what was to be expected during the normal monsoon season.

"Monsoon rains do not mean devastation," he added. "But the unplanned growth of the city has reduced it to ruins," Khan reasoned, explaining why the metropolis was driven into disarray every time it rained.

For him, large-scale encroachment by citizens is the primary reason behind flooding during rain.

Environmentalist Afia Salam, too, attributed flooding to unplanned settlements and encroachments. "Natural drains and rivers have been encroached," she said, adding that this disturbed settlements and led to flooding during rain.

As a consequence, besides densely populated areas that fare the worst during rains, most low-lying areas were often submerged in rainwater, she added.

"And so, only children enjoy rains [in Karachi]," she said, adding that the rest feared the trouble and inconvenience they brought.

Echoing similar views, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum chairperson Muhammad Ali Shah held the "faulty system" responsible for rain-induced urban flooding.

"Before, it would rain for three to four months during the rainy season, but the downpours were never this troublesome," he noted. "Now, it rains for just 15 minutes and the entire city is flooded!"

He too, pointed to the encroachments on the city's natural rainwater drains. "Don't blame the rain that revives that land and the sea," he added.

… and bliss

Shah's words couldn't have rung truer with Khan.

Keeping in the view the heavy rain this year, he said, fish and shrimp production would increase. "Rainwater, when it flows into the sea, carries along nutrients and sediments that are beneficial for marine life," he explained. "Rain is always a good source of water for all living species."

Shah, too, dubbed the water a lifeline. "It is always a blessing and fish production will likely increase next year," he remarked. "Rain brings good news for fishermen."

Besides, it would dilute the concentration of pollutants in the sea, pointed out Sindh Environmental Protection Agency additional director general Waqar Hussain Phulpoto.

"Not only will it cause the marine life to flourish, it will also support the ongoing plantation drive," he reckoned, adding that Karachi's residents might "get a breath of fresh air due to the ongoing rain."

Adding to this, Sindh Wildlife Department conservator Javed Ahmed Mahar said the rainwater would replenish aquifers, which would beneficial since Karachi's soil was quite drained.

According to him, the rain would support the overall ground cover. "It will also support the insect population and we'll see a visible increase in birds in the coming months," he explained, saying that the monsoon had a great impact on all living beings.

Moreover, with millions of gallons of fresh water released into the sea following rains, the coastal belt would be revived, he said, though he expressing concern over the inflow of plastic along with the rainwater.

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