KARACHI: In Indian and Pakistani movies — even in TV plays — rain represents either a romantic liaison or an ominous event ready to unfold. The binary is stark. Shakespeare in his play The Merchant of Venice has given us this immortal line about mercy which he likens to a soothing downpour:

The quality of mercy is not strain’d; it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath: it is twice blest; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes…

The kind of stifling heat that Karachiites have been facing since early May has caused many to fret over how to deal with the weather without the sahulat of an air-conditioner (that is, those who can afford it), because the moment one uses the air-con, the heart begins to pound anticipating the exorbitant electricity bill received as a result of it (read: as punishment for). In the first context, hot weather conditions, the inhabitants of the city by the sea were looking forward to the merciful rains. But the ‘look forward’ to part may not last for a longish period of time.

Each year, when the overcast conditions that start to shroud Karachi from late June and continue till late August makes the authorities claim about the pre-emptive measures taken to enable the citizens lead a hassle-free life should the rains come down. One is not doubting their intentions. The ground realities usually belie their claims. If it is a heavy downpour and, let’s say it lasts for an hour or a bit more, then the whole city cuts a deplorable figure. Roads are submerged and develop crater-like holes, traffic jams happen, and in quite a few areas power goes kaput since electricity cables crisscrossing streets and alleyways gets snapped after failing to face gusty winds. Once that takes place, the sufferers have to wait for hours for the bijli to be restored. This is all the ‘usual’ scenario. What now?

On Saturday, Karachi received another spell of monsoon shower. It didn’t come down cats and dogs in all parts of the city. It was pretty mild and merciful. Even then, in such mild conditions, vehicular traffic was clogged on quite a few roads, causing inordinate delays for many to reach their destination. Also, some of the roads had big puddles. The situation was by and large under control. But if weather predictions are to go by, Karachi may receive copious amounts of rain in the coming days. Should Karachiites prepare for a merciful period or a dark phase?

In a few decades, Karachi has expanded quite intractably, both vertically and horizontally. The Economist Intelligence Unit has counted it as the “fifth worst city” in the world to live in. This means those who run the city have a Herculean task to fix it. And it is time to put their money where their mouth is.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2024