Raining cats and dogs: Dozens injured in upper Sindh as heavens open

Many katcha houses, unable to withstand the torrential rains, collapse

SUKKUR/ HYDERABAD/ KARACHI:

Monsoon rains coupled with strong winds lashed parts of upper Sindh on Sunday morning, leaving all the main roads and streets flooded with up to four-feet-high water accumulating in the low-lying areas.

Many katcha houses (mud houses) in the suburbs, unable to withstand the torrential rain and strong winds, collapsed, leaving dozens of people reportedly injured.

Early Sunday morning, copious amounts of rain hit different parts of upper Sindh including Sukkur, Rohri, Pano Aqil, Ghotki, Mirpur Mathelo, Daharki, Ubauro, Khairpur, Naushero Feroz and Larkana. The first monsoon rain was so intense that it flooded all the main roads and streets within a matter of minutes. In Sukkur, most of the low-lying areas, including New Pind, New Goth, Clock Tower, Gharibabad, Nishter Road, Miani Road, Bunder Road, Barrage Road and Race Course Road, were flooded and the rain water mixed with sewage started entering houses and shops.



Power supply in many parts was suspended as soon as the rain started and was not restored until evening. Due to the power failure, the suction pumps at various drainage disposal stations stopped working, which further complicated the situation. According to sources in the suburbs of Sukkur, Khairpur, Ghotki and other cities and towns, dozens including women and children were injured as katcha houses collapsed due to the heavy rains. The monsoon rain started early in the morning and continued till the afternoon with brief pauses. According to the meteorological office at Sukkur Airport, 30mm of rain was recorded in Sukkur and its surrounding areas.

The worst affected district was Khairpur, the hometown of Sindh chief minister, where accumulation of water was the main problem. Around five-feet-high water accumulated in Kot Diji town, where residents faced hardships as the drainage system has completely collapsed. A similar situation prevailed in Ghotki, Naushero Feroz and other cities and towns.  On the bright side, the first spell of monsoon rain brought an end to the hot and humid weather in upper Sindh that had been persisting for the last 15 days.

Rains in Karachi and lower Sindh

Scattered rains were reported on Sunday in some parts of Karachi, including Saddar, Airport, University Road and Gulshan-e-Hadeed. Officials said that city’s northern parts experienced lighter showers as compared to the southern and central areas.

Districts in Hyderabad, Nawabshah and Mirpurkhas divisions, including the parched desert and mountainous regions, also received light to heavy downpours on Sunday. The rain, which began in the morning, continued through intervals for many hours. The met department recorded the highest rainfall with 44 mm in Thatta, 26 mm in Dadu and 10 mm in Nawabshah till 7pm. The desert district of Tharparkar has received rainfall up to 34 mm since Saturday morning.

Karachi may have flood-like situation, says met office

Meanwhile, the met office believes that the city may have a flood-like situation like other parts of the country since it is expected to receive approximately 50mm rain. “Moderate rains are expected but it will continue till Thursday, which can create problems for the general public,” said National Seismic Monitoring Centre, Karachi, chief meteorologist Naeem Shah. “We may have at least 50mm in one spell,” he added.

According to Shah, moderate to heavy rains will continue till Friday but heavy rains are particularly expected on Thursday and Friday. He predicted that the city’s eastern and central parts will have more rains in the coming days.

Officials believe that heavy rains may create panic in the city as the administration is not prepared to tackle the situation. It is after a long time that Karachi will experience a week-long monsoon spell. The met officials confirmed that the provincial government has been informed about the heavy rains and flood-like situation expected in the city this week.

The met department has forecast continued rain for the three divisions over the next four to five days. It also predicted heavy monsoon rains in the coastal belt of Sindh. Met office focal person Rasheed confirmed that heavy rains are predicted in Tharparkar and other areas of the province such as Badin, Thatta, Mirpurkhas and parts of Hyderabad. “Tharparkar may have heavy to very heavy rains from Monday,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2015.