THIS is with reference to the report ‘Rainwater harvesting project launched in Rawalpindi’ (March 20). Recently when there was a warning of urban flooding in Sindh, the provincial government had imposed a rain emergency and announced half-day for offices in Karachi to avoid any untoward incident. It has clearly underlined the current incapacity of the government to manage a downpour. The situation in other provinces is not much different. The biggest challenge is to find solutions to urban flooding and chalk out an implementation plan before the monsoon season starts later in the year.

The problem of urban flooding has become quite frequent in Karachi. The city has been receiving more than average precipitation during the monsoon season for the last few years. The common reasons for urban flooding are unplanned urbanisation, irregular development, inadequate solid waste management and poor urban governance.

The solution lies in the development of solid waste management infrastructure, which is hectic and time-consuming. But is there something that can be done before the monsoon season arrives in Karachi this year? Well, the government and community can take numerous steps to save the city from getting inundated. A quick and easy solution in this regard is the option of rooftop rainwater harvesting.

The idea of rooftop rainwater harvesting is quite simple. It collects rainwater from rooftops in residential and commercial areas, and takes it to the storage tanks before it reaches sewers and the drainage systems. The rooftop rainwater harvesting can also contribute to reducing water scarcity in the city. The rainwater can also be stored by digging wells that can be used for numerous purposes after proper treatment.

Karachi, which is home to more than 20 million people, faces inadequate and irregular water supply. Having a fresh water supply in Karachi is a blessing as most people rely on paid water tankers. Amid this water crisis, rooftop rainwater will increase access to fresh water and reduce pressure on the drainage lines. It is the micro-managed approach at the household level that can potentially reduce rain-related effects on city roads.

How people, who struggle to afford two meals a day, can purchase and install these new storage tanks? The government and community can adopt different solutions to help such people. Besides, the government can subsidise the price of storage tanks to facilitate high-income and middle-income groups. Second, it can provide storage tanks as well as its free installation in low-income areas. These solutions can be financed by additional property taxes by the government.

Moreover, at the community-level, people can split the cost of rooftop storage tanks among the community. On the other hand, society unions can play a role in finding cost-effective tanks that can be purchased and installed at different areas in gated communities.

Considering the frequency and severity of rainfall in Karachi, it is imperative that all stakeholders think and set a timeline for executing viable solutions. Otherwise, the cost of inaction would be severe for the urban areas, especially for Karachi.

Dr Ghamz E. Ali Siyal
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2024