Commissioner Karachi, Syed Hassan Naqvi, has alerted all relevant city agencies to gear up for the upcoming monsoon season and potential urban flooding.
In a meeting convened for this purpose, Naqvi stressed the immediate need for emergency and contingency plans, resource utilization, and clear distribution of responsibilities among agencies. Attended by Deputy Commissioners, officials from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC), Karachi Development Authority (KDA), Town Municipal Committees (TMC), Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), Traffic Police, Fire Brigade, Cantonments, and other relevant bodies, the meeting received a briefing from PDMA Director General Syed Salman Shah regarding the monsoon predictions. Shah highlighted that while June is anticipated to receive below-normal rainfall, July could see levels equivalent to 2022.
However, from mid-July to late August, Karachi may experience 100 percent more rainfall than in 2022, according to forecasts by the Meteorological Department. Shah also pointed out 29 critical points prone to water accumulation that require immediate attention. Commissioner Naqvi queried KMC officials about their emergency plans and critical low points identification. Disappointed by the lack of preparedness, Naqvi directed KMC to submit a draft contingency plan by the following day and mobilize resources urgently.
PDMA noted that, historically, KMC had only addressed 11 out of 29 critical points, necessitating PDMA’s intervention for the remainder.
Addressing concerns over open manholes, TMC officials cited issues with insufficient manhole covers supplied by KWSB. Despite KWSB’s claim of providing 700 covers in the past month, TMC representatives could not verify this.
Naqvi instructed all relevant agencies to submit emergency plans, outlining available resources and manpower, for compilation and sharing with PDMA to effectively manage rainfall. Naqvi emphasized the importance of communication, resource allocation, and accountability among agencies to ensure effective disaster management.
