Monsoon paralysis

Despite repeated forecasts and advance warnings of heavy rainfall, it took only a single day of heavy showers to bring Karachi to its knees. And almost immediately after the skies opened on Tuesday, much of the city went without electricity, reminding the citizens of Karachi that rain in their long-ignored abode is a terrifying curse rather than a gracious blessing.

The relief of cool weather after weeks of scorching heat was swiftly overshadowed by crippling disruptions. Pothole-ridden roads, already symbols of neglect, turned into water-filled traps, halting traffic and stranding citizens for hours. The Karachi Traffic Police, in issuing routine advisories about slowing down and maintaining safe distance, did little to address the larger reality: the city simply does not have the infrastructure to withstand moderate to heavy rainfall, let alone the urban flooding predicted in the coming days. This paralysis is not for lack of forewarning.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department had cautioned against intense monsoon currents, urban flooding and risks to life well in advance. The city administration too, under Mayor Murtaza Wahab, declared a rain emergency and mobilised staff from essential departments. Yet, the scenes on the ground revealed a familiar story of unpreparedness and fragile resilience. Karachi is no stranger to monsoon chaos. Each year, the same cycle repeats. Yet basic systems remain woefully inadequate.

It is unacceptable that a city of over 20 million people and the country's financial and industrial hub should crumble under the weight of a few hours of rain. The lessons have been there for years, but the will to implement sustainable solutions — from overhauling the drainage system to strengthening power infrastructure — has been missing. Karachi deserves more than knee-jerk responses that are resorted to every monsoon.