KARACHI: City Administrator Laeeq Ahmad on Saturday visited various storm-water drains in the city to review cleanliness measures in view of the expected tropical Cyclone Tauktae.

Senior officers were also present on the occasion.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah during a meeting held at Chief Minister House regarding storm management arrangements, passed directives for immediately reopening of blockage points of drains and improving the drainage capacity.

On his instructions, the administrator visited different drains of the city and directed the relevant officials that the blockage points be cleaned and reopened within two days.

He directed arrangements for smooth drainage of rainwater, adding that drainage of water in underpasses should also be taken care of.

PDMA reviews preparations

Laeeq Ahmed said removal of rainwater from roads where it accumulates should also be done on priority basis.

The administrator said that an emergency had been imposed in the KMC municipal services department till May 20, asking officers and staff to ensure their attendance 24 hours a day.

“The machinery should be kept in a state of readiness and emergency personnel should be deployed at various places to take immediate action in case of rains,” he added.

Laeeq Ahmed visited Ziauddin Nullah and directed the senior director of municipal services to clear the garbage from the drain and keep the machinery in useable condition.

He said that leaves of all officers and staff were cancelled from May 15 to 20 and all officers and staff would be on duty to perform their duties and as per instructions given by the provincial government.

PDMA review preparations

The minister of rehabilitation department, Sindh, chaired a meeting at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) HQ Karachi to review preparations for the cyclone in the Arabian Sea.

The DG PDMA Sindh, representatives of Pakistan Army and Navy and officers of the PDMA attended the meeting, while deputy commissioners of vulnerable districts joined the meeting through video link.

The meeting participants held discussions on preparedness, counter-measures, relief camps and evacuation of people in coastal areas.

Emergency control room at PDMA Sindh HQ Karachi has been activated and staff has been deployed round the clock to monitor the situation, coordinate with Meteorological department and provide immediate assistance of relief items to vulnerable districts.

Emergency has been declared at PDMA Sindh and leave of all staff has been cancelled.

Railways control rooms

The Pakistan Railways’ Karachi division has established three control rooms to handle the situation that may emerge from the cyclone.

The central control room is located in Karachi whereas two sub-control rooms are stationed in Hyderabad and Kotri.

The control rooms will operate round the clock and officers have been asked to remain alert on their mobiles.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2021