Army chief directs troops to step up relief efforts in rain-hit Karachi

Military relief teams are busy in shifting people to safer places and providing them food and shelter, says ISPR

Pakistan Army teams comprising engineers and other experts are carrying out relief operations to help rain-hit people in Karachi as heavy downpour brought its life to a standstill on Tuesday.

“Due to heavy rains in Karachi, various parts of metropolitan city got badly affected. Besides rainfall in Karachi, downpour also occurred in Kirther Ranges which led to overflow of Lath and Thado dams,” Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also directed Karachi Corps to step up relief efforts in rain-affected areas in interior Sindh and Karachi. “Troops must reach out to affected population in distress and extend all necessary care,” he was quoted by ISPR DG Maj-Gen Babar Iftikhar as saying.

According to the military’s media wing, overflow from Lath dam struck Northern Bypass and also caused severe flooding in Malir Nadi bank resulting water flow towards Quaidabad, an area of the metropolis.

“More than 70 Army and Pakistan Rangers Sindh rescue and relief teams are assisting civil administration to provide relief to affected population,” it added.

The teams are moving the affected people of Quaidabad through army engineer boats to safer places. PHOTO: ISPR

“Army engineers made 200m long and 4ft high embankment to avoid flooding of M9 [motorway] and ensuring proper regulation of water,” military’s media wing added.

It said three army engineers teams were also deployed along Mehran drain to avoid its spill over to save K-Electric grid station, Saadi town and Malir Cantonment area.

Relief and rescue teams are busy in shifting the people to safer places and providing them food and shelter.

Gulshan-e-Hadeed, DHA, Gizri, Kimari, North Karachi, Nazimabad, Saddar, Landhi, Airport, University Road, PAF Base Faisal, Jinnah terminal, Saadi town, Quaidabad, Yusaf Goth, PAF Base Masroor and Gulistan-e-Johar are the most affected areas of the port city according to ISPR statement.