SUKKUR: Roof of a classroom in a primary school building in Digri taluka collapsed during heavy rain, which mostly pounded upper Sindh region on Saturday.

It started raining in torrents early in the morning in Sukkur, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kandhkot-Kashmore and Gotki districts but Sukkur Electric Power Company (Sepco) had suspended power supply to these district with the start of a drizzle since last night.

When asked about the prolonged blackout, the Sepco chief said the technical personnel were trying to locate fault in high tension wires and power supply would be restored as soon as they had found the fault.

The heavy rain lasted about an hour and then continued intermittently, inundating roads, streets and low-lying areas as most of the pumping machines remained idle due to suspension of power supply.

Though the rain made the weather pleasant but the suspension of power and subsequent inundation of streets spoiled peoples’ joy.

In Mirpurkhas, showers continued intermittently for last two days, flooding main roads and streets with rainwater.

Farmers were overjoyed at the rain and said that the rainfall so far was beneficial for standing crops. But if it continued at this pace for many days then it might cause damage to their crops, they said.

The downpour exposed efficiency of Mirpurkhas Municipal Corporation as the rainwater mixed with filthy heaps of garbage, which were not removed in time, was giving off foul smell and creating unsanitary conditions across the city.

The city residents and members of civil society urged authorities to take notice of the post-rain conditions and order draining out of the stagnant rainwater and removal of garbage from roads and streets without delay.

Meanwhile, a buffalo was electrocuted in Mirwah Gorchani town and roof of a school in Digri taluka collapsed during the heavy rain but fortunately no one was present in the building at that time.

It also rained in Mirwah Gorchani, Digri, Jhuddo, Tando Jan Muhammad, Naukot, Kot Ghulam Mohammad, Jhilori, Sindhri, Hingorno, Phuldayyoon etc.

In Nawabshah, the heavy rain lashed the city and its adjoining towns of Qazi Ahmed and other areas, causing rainwater to accumulate on all main roads and streets.

Electricity supply to the district went off with the start of the rain. The city’s municipal corporation ran some of the pumping stations on generators while many remained off due to power suspension. Hence, rainwater flooded roads and streets, badly affecting business activities in mobile market, Sarrafa bazaar, cloth market, Mohni bazaar and other commercial areas.

Growers expressed fear if it continued to rain at this pace it might cause severe damage to their standing crop of cotton.

Dadu DC asks officials to remain alert

Dadu Deputy Commissioner Faheem Ahmad Chachar has issued instructions to all relevant departments to make emergency arrangements and remain on high alert in view of PDMA’s alert for the likely heavy rains and flood situation in the district.

He said that low-lying areas in urban centres under the purview of municipal committees and town committees as well as riverine area were particularly at risk due to the possible overflow of Nai Gaj, natural rain water drain, and other streams.

He directed the officials to ensure their presence in their offices, headquarters and field camps on all weekdays including Saturdays and Sundays and ensure coordination with the office of the deputy commissioner and chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority.

He asked the officials to submit reports on time, keep their mobile phones on and be ready for communication at all times so as to be able to initiate disciplinary action against responsible officials as per the Efficiency and Discipline rules in case of non-compliance of the instructions. Such cases be reported to higher authorities, he said.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2024