Rain overwhelms govt’s preps

City unable to bear downpour despite claims by administration

KARACHI:

Though the Sindh government delayed the local bodies’ elections due to the prediction of heavy rainfall, it could not make arrangements for the safe drainage of rainwater.

Main roads continue to present the view of rivers. The drains overflowed and the city was flooded. Due to the poor strategy of the Sindh government and the local bodies, the rainwater drainage arrangements could not be done. Many central and regional roads including Nagan Chowrangi, Stadium Road, University Road, Sharea Faisal, Hydari, Old City area were flooded. Although the municipal staff was seen engaged in water drainage at some places, citizens remained stuck in worst traffic jams for hours.

More than 400 feeders and PMTs tripped and power supply to many city areas could not be restored until late.

Chief minister’s claims of implementing rain emergency have gone down the drain. Staff’s leaves were cancelled but the personnel were missing.

In order to show his concern, the chief minister, accompanied by his cabinet members visited some areas where less rainfall was reported.

The citizens have demanded that the court should take suo motu notice of the worst situation in Karachi and investigate where the funds were spent and what arrangements were made.

CM inspects rain releif

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah along with his cabinet members and chief secretary rushed to the low lying and old city areas when heavy downpour starded in the city and inspected the installation of cesspool machines and directed administrator to install heavy pumping machines in the DHAs areas where water has accumulated.

The chief minister was accompanied by Minister Information Sharjeel Memon, Minister Local Government Nasir, Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, Commissioner Karachi Iqbal Memon and Secretary Local Government Najam Shah.

Shah said that almost all the nullas, small and big ones, including those constructed along the main arteries have been cleaned. “I am sure the on-going third spell of heavy rain would not cause any serious issue,” he said.

The CM claimed that the people of this city have seen the performance, sincerity and commitment to serve them that’s why the previous spell of heavy downpour did not submerge the city, otherwise the city used to turn into a river but now all the roads were clear.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2022.