‘No emergency reported during rain’

Hyderabad received unprecedented rainfall this year but due to the timely measures of district administrations, no district reported an emergency situation, claimed Commissioner Abbas Baloch during his inspection of different areas of the city on Friday. Accompanied by the deputy commissioner while inspecting de-watering efforts in low lying areas, Baloch commended the efforts of the Water and Sanitation Agency and district administration. “Rainfall is necessary for prosperity, and the administration is ready to cooperate and meet any emergency so the people should not feel troubled,” he stated. Baloch directed WASA to speed up the dewatering process, asked the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company to address power complaints, and tasked the health department with carrying out anti-malaria spraying twice a day in both urban and rural localities. At least 10 people have died in Hyderabad in incidents of drowning and lightning since July 6.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2020.