• Low-lying areas of the city could face urban flooding, warns NDMA
• Flooding caused by clogged drains affects many localities, thoroughfares
• Nazimabad receives 46.5 millimetres of rain until 11:00pm
• Almost all seven districts hit by deluge • Overflowing sewers ‘anger’ mayor
• Current spell could subside by tomorrow

KARACHI: The city received the heaviest rain of the current monsoon season on Sunday when most areas witnessed moderate to heavy showers that brought the vehicular traffic on many roads to a standstill amid sewage spilling over the streets which submerged major thoroughfares while the country’s disaster management body issuing a warning of urban flooding in the metropolis.

Relying on the forecast of the meteorological department that predicted moderate to heavy rains on Sunday, the daylong wait of Karachiites came to an end after the sunset when the showers, that first hit the outskirts, finally fell in the main city affecting almost all seven districts.

By 11:00pm, Nazim­abad received the heaviest 46.5 millimetres of rain, followed by Quaidabad (27mm), Sharea Faisal (23mm), Old Airport area (22mm) and Ibrahim Hyderi (13mm).

Minutes after the downpour that started in the city from the Central district, major roads were flooded with rainwater and sewage.

Underpasses in the Central district were inundated with rainwater and traffic on Sharea Faisal came to a halt between Karsaz and Nursery bus stops.

About the fresh spell, the Met officials said it could subside by Aug 6.

However, they added that the next spells were expected from August 11 to 13. The last days of August such as 18, 20 and 21 could also witness moderate to heavy rainfalls again.

Urban flooding warning

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)’s National Emergencies Operation Center anticipated that rain-wind and thundershower (scattered moderate to heavy rainfall) are expected in Karachi Division till August 6 and as a result, low-lying areas of Karachi are expected to face urban inundation and flooding during the spell.

The public is advised to stay informed by keeping track of weather updates and alerts, a news release said.

Sewage spilling

Expressing “anger” over the performance of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation in dealing with the spilling of sewage after rains, Mayor Murtaza Wahab on Sunday issued a “last warning” to the authorities of the entity and warned that action would be taken against the officials concerned if such complaints were not resolved.

The mayor called an urgent meeting of the officials of the corporation and expressed his displeasure over the drainage system in the city, which caused overflowing of sewage in many parts of the city after recent rains.

During the meeting, he referred to a number of areas where the sewer manholes had overflowed after the downpour creating a nuisance for residents of the respective neighbourhoods.

“If the people suffered, I will not hesitate taking action against the officials concerned,” a statement issued by the KMC quoted Mayor Wahab as saying.

“Several areas of the city are facing overflowing of sewage on roads. I visited several places last night and found sewage everywhere. During the last two days of rain, the performance of the KWSC remained satisfactory, but we need to fix this sewage issue immediately.”

Vulnerable drainage system

The fresh spell of monsoon rains has once again exposed the vulnerable drainage system of the city.

Many areas of the metropolis have been flooded with sewage water.

In North Nazimabad a sinkhole developed on the main road near Masjid Farooq-i-Azam after the recent downpour.

The accumulation of sewage has also been witnessed in the South district near Seabreaze Plaza on MA Jinnah Road.

During the meeting, the KWSC officers briefed the mayor about the repair and drainage operations being carried out in the affected areas.

“The KWSC and its teams have managed to keep major storm-water drains operational during the rains successfully which helped preventing flooding despite hours-long rains on Friday,” the statement said referring to the briefing by the KWSC officials.

The mayor “lauded” the performance of the KWSC teams for the execution of “effective” rain-related operations.

The meeting participants were told that in case of heavy rains, the KMC would install dewatering pumps at different locations such as Tower, Governor House, Nursery, Star Gate, Jinnah Terminal, KDA Chowrangi, and Liaqauabad underpass.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2024