Karachi rains leave Wazir Mansion flooded yet again

Residential, commercial areas of the port city remain chaotic amid govt's brazen failure to provide relief

KARACHI:

Torrential rains have once again wreaked havoc in Karachi claiming lives and damaging property as water remained accumulated in residential areas, exposing the provincial government's inadequate efforts to clear them.

Sewage mixed rainwater was stagnant in the Kharadar area including the wholesale markets of grain, groceries, chemicals, paints, and cloth.

The spell of monsoon rains has overwhelmed the civic authorities’ professional capacity and they have failed to drain the rainwater from the area where Wazir Mansion, the birthplace of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, is located.

Monday's rains inundated shopping malls and markets up to old city area, MA Jinnah Road, Bolton Market, Merewether Tower, which play key role in the country's economy.

As rainwater could not be drained, power remained cut off in most areas leading to a shortage of drinking water.

Also read: More torrential rains likely in Sindh, Balochistan

The Wazir Mansion's road and drainage rehabilitation project was completed in August last year and was inaugurated by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

He had assured the people that the historic building would no longer be submerged with rainwater and sewage.

However, like other assurances and claims of Sindh government, this too proved just a tall claim.

Glass was installed along the doors on the ground floor to prevent rainwater and sewage from entering the building. Sanitary workers tried to manually open manholes around the building with bamboo, but no water pumps or suction machines were used.

Rainwater and sewage entered the shops of wholesale clothing centers located in the front and behind the Memon Mosque, causing heavy losses to traders.

Punjab Chowrangi flooded

Likewise, Punjab Chowrangi underpass in Clifton looked like a pond after rains. Due to the continuous downpour, rainwater has accumulated in the underpass, which, like other underpasses in the city, has no drainage system.

A man was spotted washing his clothes in a flooded Punjab Chowrangi underpass in Karachi. When asked about his circumstances, the man revealed that he worked as a fruit seller, but had his cart stolen and was forced onto the streets. #etribune #news #Karachi #MonsoonRains pic.twitter.com/YXC1NyhIty

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) July 12, 2022

Residents of the area say that despite the passage of 34 hours, no significant arrangements have been made by the government.

Citizens say that drainage process should be started as soon as possible as the underpass is facing severe problems due to closure of traffic. They said that the Cantonment Board Clifton was lacklustre in responding to the drainage problem.

'Disaster-hit city'

Meanwhile, Karachi Chamber of Commerce (KCCI) has demanded that the city be declared a disaster-hit area.

KCCI President Idrees Memon demanded that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visit Karachi, which pays the most taxes and declare it a disaster-hit city. He said Pakistan's economic hub is in a state of affliction.

Several feet of water have accumulated on the country's capital hub, II Chundrigar Road. Textile, Bolton, grain, and many other markets are under water. The sea is not far from the Old City area, but drainage is paralysed.

Expressing distrust over the capabilities of the Sindh government, Idrees Memon urged the federal government to take control of the city which is known as mini-Pakistan. The chamber chief solicited that Karachi is handed over to the federation and rebuilt. Idrees Memon added that the government compensates for Karachi's destruction and gives tax exemption.