Rain, cold send Karachiites rushing home early

KARACHI:

The anticipated downpour convinced traders and shopkeepers to roll down their shutters early and head home.

The commercial hubs of the city looked deserted at sunset while there was rush food streets of Burns Road, Hussainabad, and Clifton.

Groups of youth were seen enjoying soup, coffee, and tea in various neighbourhoods of megapolis. Many residents of the city, otherwise known for its mild climate, were seen buying used jackets, gloves, and woolen caps from roadside vendors.

The public transport was scant and the few rickshaws plying on a chilly night demanded high fares.

Also read: Met office predicts 'heavy rains' in Karachi this week

People also complained about the lack of availability of captains of the ride-hailing service during inclement weather.

Top cop sends rain alert for force

The Karachi police chief, Additional IG Karachi Imran Yaqub Minhas, has directed all field commanders to be present in their areas during the rains after the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a forecast of possible rains in the city from the night of January 4 to January 7.

As per police spokesperson, the officers and personnel deployed in Karachi Police Operations and Traffic were also instructed to be present in their assigned areas. Traffic police should play their role in ensuring the flow of traffic during and after the rains. All SDPOs, SHOs, and Traffic KSOs stationed in the city will be on the roads with their staff.

The Special Security Unit's Rain Emergency Unit has also been instructed to deal with possible urban flooding situations and be ready to assist the public at all times. Police vehicles on patrol have also been ordered to be equipped with the necessary tools, tubes, and equipment used to remove vehicles stranded in the rain.

Rain emergency in KWSB

Given the forecast of rains in the city, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) Managing Director Assadullah Khan declared an emergency in the water board.

Also read: Met office dispels concerns of heavy rains in Karachi

Engineer Asadullah Khan while declaring an emergency in the water board issued orders to the officers to keep the suction, rodding, sewer cleaning machines and de-watering pumps ready at all times and make them available at the main thoroughfares and low-lying areas of the city before the rains.

He directed the superintendent engineers of all the districts to be present in their respective divisions with their subordinate staff while instructing all the chief engineers to monitor the performance of their respective superintendents and executive engineers.

He further said that in case of non-supply of electricity, all the pumping stations should be kept running with the help of generators for supply and drainage, and other facilities including water board conduits, canals should be closely monitored.