First spell of monsoon hits city

Moderate downpour brought in gusts of wind along with it

KARACHI:

A system of pre-monsoon rains lashed the city on Wednesday. The heavy to moderate downpour that started from the suburbs brought in gusts of wind raging at almost 80 kilometres per hour, plunging many parts of the city into darkness.

The highest rainfall was recorded in Nazimabad at 38mm, while the Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a forecast of light rain today (Thursday) light. Rain caused power breakdowns in many areas of the city, while traffic jams were also reported.

Many bikers slipped on the roads while scores of two-wheeler riders took refuge under overhead, waiting for the storm to pass. Many low-lying areas became inundated. As per PMD the weather system that brought the rain was moving eastward to Tharparkar.

KWSB on high alert

The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) has declared an emergency in view of rains in the city. Taking note of weather forecasts, a high level meeting was held at Chairman Secretariat Karsaz under the chairmanship of Water Board Vice Chairman Syed Najmi Alam.

Presiding over the meeting, the Vice Chairman Water Board directed all concerned officers to keep all the machinery of the water board, including all the sewerage pumping stations, genting, section, rodding, sewer cleaning machines and de-watering pumps ready at all times before the rains and ensure that the city's main highways and lowlying areas are cleared on a timely basis.

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He directed the Superintending Engineers of all the districts to be present in their respective divisions along with their subordinate staff during the rainy season. He further said that all the pumping stations for supply and drainage should be kept running with the help of generators in case of non-supply of electricity.

Water Board conduits and installations along drains must also be closely monitored.

KDA declares rain emergency

A rain emergency has been imposed in all KDA townships and schemes in the city by Director General Karachi Development Authority Syed Muhammad Ali Shah.

In light of the anticipated premonsoon rains, the DG KDA cancelled the leave of the concerned officers and employees, according to a Karachi Development Authority spokeswoman, and issued directives that all officers and personnel were present to handle any emergencies promptly.

Project Manager Mega Project (PDMA) gave a thorough report on the cleaning and sanitation of more than 17 drains around the city at a meeting presided over by DG KDA Syed Muhammad Ali Shah at the Civic Center Conference Room. Syed Muhammad Ali Shah expressed his satisfaction with the precautions taken in case of rain and gave the order for the drains to be cleaned promptly and the blocked drains to be repaired using heavy machinery.

The Director of State and Enforcement should fully use all tools and resources to remove encroachments near drains, and there will be no room for negligence. The connection between all concerned officers should be strengthened. The main priority should also include cleaning choked drains, such as Aziz Bhatti Nala, Moti Mahal Nala, Issa Nagri Nala, Orangi, and Korangi Nala, and all drains should be cleaned before the rain.

Member Finance Syed Shujaat Hussain, Secretary KDA Shamsul Haq Siddiqui, Director General Karachi Mass Transit Naeem Waheed, Chief Engineer Syed Ali Noman, Assistant Deputy Commissioner Malirullah Dino Chana, Assistant Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Nawaz Kabir, Director State and Enforcement Viral Andhar, relevant engineers and other officers attended the meeting.