As per the Meteorological Department’s near accurate prediction, Karachi experienced torrential rain this month. The monsoon rain once again becomes a nuisance instead of a relief from the scorching heat for the people of Karachi. The rain has increased the troubles of the citizens because many of the city’s areas drown in rainwater.
The rain caused a complete breakdown of urban life. Poor design and management of roads, drainage, intersections, underground sewers, and sidewalks caused unparalleled chaos and damage. The people of Karachi witnessed casualties, prolonged power breakdowns, overflowing drains, and inundated streets with bumper-to-bumper traffic. Several people, including children, in the metropolis, were also reportedly killed in the heavy rains.
Electricity supply was also suspended in multiple areas. More than 550 K-Electric (KE) feeders were tripped, leaving many areas of the city without power. The worse drainage mechanism along the major streets was an obvious cause of the problem. The prime corridors — I.I. Chundrigar Road, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Shaheed-e-Millat Road, Karsaz Road, Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan Road, Shahrah-e-Pakistan and many other arteries — all became pools of water.
The land mafia had recklessly constructed structures on, and along, the nallahs. With the irregular reclamation of nallahs’ banks, the width of the water stream decreased. This created a perpetual problem both for the usual flow of sewage and the rainwater during monsoons.
Solid waste is deposited into the drains as no alternative is available. With rising consumerism, solid and liquid waste has multiplied, which is one of the reasons behind overflowing drains. An intelligent approach is required to manage waste in an environmentally friendly manner.
In the current situation, it would have been the responsibility of the Sindh government to address all these issues before the forecasted rains. Coordinated decision making for development and management is necessary to prevent such disasters. The government should take stern measures to prevent such kind of disaster.
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