HYDERABAD: Mutta-hida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan MPAs have urged Sindh government to declare Hyderabad a ‘calamity-hit’ district.

Speaking at a joint news conference at the local press club on Saturday, MPAs Sabir Kaimkhani, Nasir Qureshi and Rashid Khan from Hyderabad referred to heavy flooding in most areas and collapse of power supply network and drainage system amid the recent rainfall. The downpour exposed all claims of civic agencies, mayor and district administration, they said, adding that several meetings held by them proved nonproductive when it rained. They deplored that stakeholders were not taken on board for ensuring draining of rainwater. Relief camps were also not set up, they noted.

The MPAs said that Hyderabad city recently received 250mm of rainfall within 24 hours besides intermittent showers for several days. Had there been more such heavy spells, the situation would have become disastrous, they said.

They also deplored that no attention was paid to de-silting of stormwater drains before monsoon; the mayor and administration failed to ensuring prompt disposal of rainwater; Rs10m was released but nobody knew where it was spent; and the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) failed to ensure uninterrupted power supply during rains and many feeders had not been re-energised so far.

They accused the provincial government of not being sincere with Hyderabad, and stressed that it would have to give up its biased approach. They noted that the Sindh chief minister visited the entire lower Sindh region but avoided coming to Hyderabad, which was the worst-affected city.

They said that a command and control system could have been established to respond to rain emergencies.

The lawmakers said that a survey should be conducted across Hyderabad district to start the procedure to declare the district ‘calamity-hit’.

They said succor should be provided and compensation paid to rain-affected people.

They said that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari should take notice of the situation and ask his party’s office-bearers to get facts of the situation collected.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2024