Chief secretary emphasises rain preparedness to tackle emergencies

Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Asif Hyder Shah chaired an important meeting on Thursday to discuss the arrangements for the approaching monsoon season, during which he emphasised rain preparedness to tackle emergencies.

CS Shah said that this year higher than normal rainfall is anticipated. He said the provincial government would support the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and other departments wherever necessary.

He stressed the crucial role of K-Electric in ensuring continuous power supply for water drainage operations during the rains. He called for special arrangements by KE to prevent any loss of life due to electrical issues.

He directed all town chairmen to ensure proper water drainage from internal streets during the rains. He instructed Local Government Secretary Syed Khalid Hyder Shah to convene meetings with all town chairmen to discuss rain preparedness.

He directed Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi to establish control rooms at divisional and district levels to manage emergency situations effectively. Rescue 1122 and the health department were instructed to prepare comprehensive plans to deal with any emergencies that might arise. He also ordered that highly sensitive buildings be evacuated before the rains as a precautionary measure.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said the KMC is currently engaged in cleaning 586 drains across the city. He also mentioned the construction of roads on both sides of the Gujjar Nullah to prevent encroachments.

He said that dewatering pumps would be installed at all the major roads and underpasses of the city. He identified several locations where water might accumulate during heavy rains due to choking points. He also said that 310 choking points would be cleared before the rains. To curb garbage disposal into the storm water drains, Section 144 has been imposed, as mentioned by the commissioner. The CS assured all the necessary funds for cleaning the drains.

KE assured providing uninterrupted electricity to the pumping stations during the rains. In case of emergencies, residents are advised to contact Rescue 1122, Karachi Traffic Helpline 1915 and KE (021-99207349).

Contingency plans

The meeting was informed that contingency plans have been prepared by the district administrations of Karachi Division. The KMC, the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), the Manora Cantonment, the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board and the Sindh Building Control Authority also provided their contingency plans, which were circulated on Thursday.

Directions were issued to the district administrations to conduct mock exercises, and remove all the billboards that are hazardous to the public. A complete ban under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code has been imposed on dumping garbage, solid waste, debris, etc. in drains for two months.

The deputy commissioners informed the meeting about the number of flash points, trouble points and choking points: 149 in District Keamari, 71 in District West, 29 in District Malir, 22 in District Central, 20 in District South, 12 in District East and seven in District Korangi.

The number of low-lying areas in the city are as follows: 56 in District South, 32 in District Malir, 30 in District East, 26 in District Keamari, 22 in District Central, 17 in District West and 16 in District Korangi.

KMC officials said they would start implementing their contingency plan on June 20 due to the unavailability of funds. They said that a list of 45 major nullahs has been provided with the starting, middle and end points.

Deployment plans for cleaning and de-silting the drains has also been provided, along with contact numbers. Moreover, malaria staff with 77 officials in each of the three shifts, and nine dewatering pumps have been deployed.

The meeting was informed that flooding is caused by the overflowing of three rivers — Wateen Wari Nullah (Mehran Cut Nullah), Malir River and Lyari River — but the relevant officials are working on the issue.

The meeting was also attended by Rehabilitation Secretary Waseem Shamshad, officials of the KWSC and the Pakistan Navy, representatives of the cantonment boards, all district deputy commissioners and municipal commissioners, the Rescue 1122 director general and others.