KARACHI: Mayor Wasim Akhtar on Tuesday put all departments of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, including hospitals, fire brigade and other rescue service providers, on high alert in the wake of new monsoon spell expected to start on Thursday and last till Saturday.

He asked all departments and District Municipal Corporations (DMCs) to keep machinery and staffers on standby as the Meteorological department had predicted heavy rains from Thursday.

The mayor also directed officers of the engineering department, parks department and other officials to be on duty to cope with any untoward situation.

Addressing a meeting to review measures, he said that the Meteorological department had again predicted heavier rains and that’s why there was a threat of urban flooding. “The people of the entire city should be saved from miseries during rains,” he said.

He asked the officials concerned to immediately start draining process, shift dewatering pumps at underpasses and chocked points ahead of the rain. “Rain emergency centre should be functional around the clock,” the mayor directed.

He advised the citizens to approach district administrations or Citizens Complaints Emergency Centre 1339 in case of any emergency.

He said that the Sindh Building Control Authority should keep vigilant eye on buildings declared dangerous and their residents should follow precautionary measures during rains.

“There is a dire need to expedite drain cleaning work in Karachi as the city cannot afford more urban flood. We can get fruitful results if all departments concerned work collectively,” he added.

Mr Akhtar said that he had been approaching federal and provincial governments for many years and trying to draw their attention towards the issue that Karachi’s many areas face urban flood threat due to chocking of drains.

He once again requested the Sindh government to pay attention to this major issue and take measures for cleaning Karachi so that the people of the city could enjoy rains instead of facing problems.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2020