CM calls for urban flooding control system in Karachi as rain inundates roads

Under the influence of an active monsoon system affecting the southern parts of Pakistan, several areas of Karachi experienced significant rain on Saturday. Paposh Nagar in Nazimabad and North Nazimabad faced severe traffic disruptions and posed challenges for locals due to inundated roads following the heavy showers.

The heavy rain, which began in the early hours and continued intermittently throughout the day, turned streets into rivers, bringing the bustling city to a near standstill.

“Under the influence of a low-pressure area in the south-south-east of Karachi, different areas of the city received moderate to heavy showers on Saturday,” chief meteorologist Dr Sardar Sarfaraz said. “This system earlier caused extremely hot and humid weather and heatwave-like conditions, and is now causing rain in the city.”

Nazimabad received the highest rainfall (37.2mm), followed by Keamari (29.5mm), Mauripur (26mm), Korangi (22mm), Quaidabad (12mm), Sharea Faisal (7mm), Orangi Town (6.5mm), DHA Phase-II (3.5mm), Jinnah Terminal (3.2mm) and University Road (2.7mm). Other areas received less than 2mm of rain. Some areas, including Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Gulistan-e-Jauhar, received no rain or only traces of it.

North Nazimabad residents reported knee-deep water on major roads, including at Shahrah-e-Noorjahan and the Hyderi Market, making it difficult for vehicles to pass and forcing many to seek alternate routes or remain indoors.

The situation was exacerbated by the poor drainage systems, which quickly became overwhelmed, leading to stagnant water accumulation in various parts of the district.

“I had to abandon my car and walk home through the water. It’s a nightmare every time it rains heavily,” North Nazimabad resident Arsalan Ahmed said. Similar scenes were observed in the adjoining areas, as well as in Keamari and Orangi Town, where waterlogging created significant hazards for commuters.

“The monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are quite active, leading to this heavy rainfall,” Dr Sarfaraz said. He noted that the Met Office had already issued warnings of rain and potential urban flooding for Karachi due to occasional heavy falls.

The current weather pattern is expected to persist for a day, with intermittent rain and thunderstorms forecasted until the weekend. “We’re monitoring the situation closely, and urge residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions.”

The town and city administrations mobilised emergency response teams to manage the situation following heavy showers in the northern parts of the city, deploying pumps and other equipment to drain the water from the flooded areas.

However, the sheer volume of water and existing infrastructural challenges have made it a daunting task. “Our teams are working round the clock to clear the water and ensure the safety of residents,” a Karachi Metropolitan Corporation spokesperson said.

In addition to traffic woes, the rain also disrupted the power supply in several neighbourhoods. K-Electric reported multiple outages due to the rain, with teams dispatched to restore power as quickly as possible. “We understand the inconvenience caused and are making every effort to resolve the issues promptly,” a KE representative said.

Urban flooding

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah emphasized the importance of setting up an urban flooding control system in Karachi.

He ordered the identification of low-lying hotspot areas prone to flooding and the design of sewer tunnels leading to the main interceptor tunnels at the Lyari and Malir rivers.

He stated that after identifying the low-lying areas, sewer tunnels would be designed with their alignment and outfall directed to the Lyari and Malir rivers. He also directed the rejuvenation of both rivers by eliminating all sewer outfalls.

He was chairing a meeting at the Chief Minister House on Saturday with Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Secretary of Local Government Khalid Hyder Shah; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) Salahuddin Ahmed; Municipal Commissioner Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Afzal Zaidi, and others in attendance.

During the discussion, it was observed that some of the leading causes of urban flooding were clogging of drains with solid waste, obstruction of flow in drains, lack of outfall infrastructures, growing squatter settlements, and encroachments.

The chief minister said efforts were made to tackle this problem by removing unauthorized settlements or cleaning drains and developing watershed plans, but these actions remained ineffective in the long run.

“We can construct new sewage tunnels in flood-prone areas which would carry a load of sewage from internal trunk sewers in the city and bring wastewater to treatment plants,” he said.

The chief minister said his government was building treatment plants according to the wastewater generated in the city and its byproducts may be used for agriculture and horticulture.

Shah said there was some proposal for a rapid large urban tunneling system through most modern earth pressure balance machines which did not cause problems for surface settlement. He added that the tunneling system with pipe jacking would collect urban floods and in return, all natural streams of the Lyari River and Malir River would be restored.

He directed the KWSC to propose that Karachi should have a combined sewerage system or otherwise. “It is also pertinent that effluent discharge from the industry is accommodated in the treatment eventually at the treatment plants making it a combined effluent treatment including that of domestic or municipal wastewater,” he said.

He stressed the need for a master plan study to control urban flooding in Karachi. He added that the study should include a tunneling option and be completed within six months. “Once the study is conducted a financial model would be developed,” he said. The KWSC suggested having a pilot study done in terms of wastewater generated till 2047 as the water corporation was already undertaking its master plan of water and sewerage services and infrastructure till 2047.

Mayor Murtaza Wahab said old areas of the city may be taken as pilot projects for urban flooding control systems.

Power supply

K-Electric (KE) ensured an uninterrupted power supply to Karachi during a scattered spell of moderate to heavy showers across the city. Utility staff monitored the situation and maintained a reliable supply of power through over 2,000 feeders out of its total network, the KE said in a press release.

The power supply was temporarily suspended in a limited number of areas as a precautionary measure due to potential waterlogging or the presence of kundas that posed a safety risk. However, restoration efforts began immediately as rain subsided and electricity was restored to majority areas upon receiving clearance from ground teams.

Areas restored by Saturday evening included but were not limited to Manghopir Industrial Area, Korangi Sector 43-C, 43-D 48-E, DHA Phase 2 Extension, Islamia Colony, Orangi, Haroonabad, Mewa Shah Qabristan, North Nazimabad Block J and Shadman Sector 14A, Nazimabad Block M, Block L, and Nazimabad Number 4, FB Area Block 2, 7, 9, 19 and 22 among others.

The KE spokesperson expressed deepest sympathies over two safety incidences reported in the city during this time, while clarifying that initial investigation confirmed KE infrastructure was not involved in either case. The incident at SITE Metroville area occurred due to contact with a metallic advertisement board, which was making contact with an unrelated electric wire. Furthermore, no KE installation was found at the site of the second incident; the streetlight pole in the area also does not come under the utility’s domain.

The utility urged citizens to maintain a safe distance from all electrical infrastructure, especially outdoors. Avoid using appliances, especially water motors, with wet hands or feet. Social media platforms, KE Live App, and WhatsApp self-service portal offer real-time updates and are the fastest channels for customer complaints available 24/7. For emergency electrical complaints the KE call center can be reached at 118.

Orders for city police

Karachi police chief Javed Alam Odho on Saturday issued directives to the Karachi police in anticipation of imminent rains forecast by the Meteorological Department.

Odho instructed all police field commanders to remain vigilant in their respective areas throughout the anticipated rainy period. Specifically, he emphasised the crucial role of the traffic police in ensuring smooth traffic flow during and after rainfall, including the provision of alternative routes in flood-prone areas.

Furthermore, Odho mandated that patrol vehicles be equipped with necessary tools and equipment to assist in the removal of vehicles stranded due to heavy rain. He stressed ongoing coordination with civic authorities to ensure timely assistance to residents.

Residents were cautioned to avoid electric wires, poles, trees, and signboards during inclement weather and advised to contact emergency services via police helpline 15 or seek traffic guidance at 1915.

Rainwater drainage

Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab visited different areas of the city and reviewed the rain drainage on Saturday.

During the visit, Chief Operating Officer Karachi Water Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) Engineer Asadullah Khan and Municipal Commissioner Afzal Zaidi along with other senior officials accompanied him.

On this occasion, the mayor said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, KWSC and other local bodies worked better during the rains and all local bodies were performing their duties efficiently. He said that they believed in working without discrimination in all districts of Karachi.

Meanwhile, Managing Director Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) Imtiaz Ali Shah said that they kept cleaning the roads after Saturday’s rainfall.

The staff, he said, continued to clear the roads late into the night. The municipal staff, he said, would remain active to provide relief to citizens during the monsoon rains.

Instructions have been given to set up camps in all zones, and the work of draining the rainwater is ongoing without interruption, the managing director said. The SSWMB staff immediately took control of the situation and carried out the water drainage work promptly.

An emergency will remain in effect in anticipation of further rain. To file complaints, contact the helpline number 1128 or WhatsApp number 03181030851. Alternatively, download the SSWMB Complaints Karachi app.