Hyderabad struggles with monsoon aftermath
A couple rides on thier bike during rain in Hyderabad on Friday. Photo: Online
After the initial heavy downpour of the monsoon season, Hyderabad residents are grappling with the aftermath of stagnant water on roads, streets and neighbourhoods.
Over the past three days, the city experienced a total of 181 millimeters of rainfall, with the highest recorded amount of 87mm in the 24-hour period till Tuesday morning.
Adding to the woes, an additional 30mm of rain fell till Tuesday afternoon, as reported by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). The downpour severely impacted several areas in downtown Hyderabad, Latifabad and Qasimabad, highlighting the city's poor drainage system.
Despite efforts made by Hyderabad's Mayor, Kashif Ali Shoro, who was in the field for three days to supervise drainage operations, persistent outages by the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) and malfunctioning pumping stations of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) continued to create obstacles.
Faced with these challenges, Shoro called for an impartial inquiry into the Darya Khan pumping station's inactivity during the rain emergency.
This station, situated near Nara Jail, plays a crucial role in draining both domestic sewage in the Phuleli canal and hazardous effluent from the SITE area in Latifabad.
Shoro discovered that all the motors at the station were turned off, similarly observed at the Tulsidas pumping station near Haider Chowk.
Power outages significantly hindered drainage efforts, causing adverse effects on surrounding commercial and residential areas. The Mayor urged WASA authorities to promptly supply electric generators to power the motors at these pumping stations.
In a separate incident, the road outside Qadam Gah Moula Ali (RA), a prominent location during Muharram, was flooded with sewage-mixed rainwater. However, the situation was eventually resolved by Tuesday night.
The recent rainfall also brought to light the questionable performance of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) and its private contractor, Altas Pak.
Shoro summoned the board's director, Nisar Ahmed Soomro, to the Paretabad area on Tuesday to explain the failure to clear massive garbage heaps.
The residents of Hyderabad continue to face the consequences of the monsoon showers, emphasising the urgent need for improved infrastructure and coordination among city authorities to effectively tackle the challenges posed by heavy rains.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 26th, 2023.