CM declares 'disaster' as rains lash Karachi

As the skies poured over Karachi throughout Thursday, with more rainfall expected today (Friday), Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah termed the 'unprecedented downpour' a disaster and urged people to avoid stepping out until the storm passed and the water accumulated on the streets was pumped out.

Addressing the media, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that the district administrations, local bodies, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), and the Sindh Police had been mobilised to provide aid and relief.

The Karachi commissioner was also tasked with coordinating with the Pakistan Navy and the Pakistan Army for the evacuation of people affected by the overflowing of the Malir and Sukhan rivers. They are to be shifted to schools for the interim.

The PDMA, meanwhile, has been directed to arrange dry food items, potable water, tents, and other essential items for those being rescued and shifted to camps. The authority claimed to have provided 63 dewatering machines to district administrations in the affected areas to pump out water from low-lying areas.

"I am surprised our political opponents, instead of extending [a] helping hand to the government and the people, are criticising us as if we are responsible for the unprecedented heavy downpour," said Shah. "Yes, being a government, it is our prime duty to help people, rescue them, shift them to safe place and rehabilitate them and we are working on it."

Once the rain subsided, all efforts would be made to dispose of the water and restore normal life in the city, said Shah.

The CM claimed to be personally monitoring the situation in coordination with all relevant officials. Provincial ministers, district administrations, as well as district and traffic police are on the roads to assist people, he said, adding that he too visited some areas of the city Thursday evening.

He further declared a holiday in the city for Friday (today), stating that all public and private institutions, apart from those providing essential services, would remain closed.

Separately, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail tweeted that he had briefed Prime Minister Imran Khan on Karachi's "unusual and abnormal" situation, which he said required an emergency response. "The PM is monitoring the situation and assured to take any action required," he added.