In view of the August 19 nightmare on the Karachi's roads, the provincial government and the city authorities as well as the traffic police are taking preemptive measures to ensure safety of the citizens.
Police have issued advisory telling people to avoid unnecessary travel due to forecast of heavy rainfall.
On the directives of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, an emergency meeting was chaired by Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, in view of the rains in Karachi. The meeting was attended by Mayor Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui, Secretary Local Government, Secretary Information, Additional IG Karachi, DIG Traffic, DG PDMA, Rescue 1122, Water Board, K-Electric, KDA, KMC, all deputy commissioners of Karachi and other relevant officials of K-Electric and SSGC.
During the meeting, it was decided that special arrangements will be made to provide maximum facilitation to citizens during the rains. To ensure smooth traffic flow, diversions and road closures will be implemented as required, with all such decisions subject to the approval of mayor.
DIG Traffic will manage diversions and closures on the ground, while citizens will be kept informed through FM 88.6 and other communication channels.
Chief Secretary emphasized that during the previous spell of rain, citizens faced severe difficulties due to the lack of timely information about alternate routes, which resulted in traffic choking at several points. This time, DIGs, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, SSPs, SHOs, Rescue 1122, and district officers will remain present in the field to assist citizens and coordinate traffic management.
PDMA was directed to remain in the field with dewatering machines, pumps, and other necessary equipment to ensure timely drainage of rainwater. PDMA DG informed that 16 dewatering pumps have already been installed at various choke points across the city. Rescue kits will also be provided to field officers to enable immediate assistance to citizens.
Rescue 1122 teams have been put on high alert to respond promptly in case of emergencies and to carry out rescue operations. KDA machinery will also be deployed at key points, while KMC will establish special camps to provide guidance and support to citizens.
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