CM seeks urban flooding control system in Karachi

Stresses on need to identify low-lying areas prone to flooding

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has stressed the need to establish an urban flooding control system in Karachi by identifying low-lying areas prone to flooding. The proposed plan aims to design sewers that will channel water to the main interceptor tunnels at the Lyari and Malir rivers.

The chief minister also underlined the importance of rejuvenating the Lyari and Malir rivers by eliminating sewer outfall structures, ensuring cleaner waterways. He said this during a meeting at the CM House attended by Minister of Local Government Saeed Ghani, Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, LG Secretary Khalid Hyder Shah, CEO Salahuddin, Municipal Commissioner KMC Afzal Zaidi, and other officials.

The meeting identified various factors of urban flooding, including drain blockages from solid waste, flow obstructions, inadequate outfall infrastructure, and encroachment. Efforts to mitigate these issues through removal of unauthorised settlements and drain cleaning have shown limited effectiveness over time.

"We propose constructing new sewage tunnels in flood-prone areas to carry sewage from internal trunk sewers to treatment plants," said the CM. He added that the ongoing construction of treatment plants is tailored to the city's wastewater needs, with potential applications in agriculture and horticulture.

Highlighting technological advancements, the chief minister particularly mentioned proposals for a modern earth pressure balance tunneling system that minimises surface settlement issues. This system, combined with pipe jacking technology, aims to manage urban floods while restoring natural streams in Lyari and Malir rivers.

The CM directed the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KWSB) to explore options for a combined sewerage system accommodating both domestic and industrial effluents in treatment plans. He stressed the need for a comprehensive master plan study on urban flooding control in Karachi, to include tunneling solutions, scheduled for completion within six months.

The KWSB proposed a pilot study focusing on wastewater projections until 2047, aligning with their ongoing master plan for water and sewerage infrastructure.

Mayor suggested prioritising old city areas as pilot projects for testing urban flooding control systems.