Rain emergency imposed; PM directs civic bodies to be alert ahead of upcoming new monsoon spell
At least 29 people were killed in rain-related incidents in Sindh after ruthless monsoon showers battered Karachi and other parts of the province, the Sindh Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Tuesday.
According to a report, 14 people died in Karachi, nine in Thatta, two in Khairpur, and one in Sukkur.
The Sindh government imposed a rain emergency in Karachi on Monday after several areas and main roads across the city were submerged with water. Nullahs in Orangi Town and Korangi overflowed and entered houses. II Chundrigar Road, DHA, Sharae Faisal, University Road, NIPA Chowrangi, and Qayyumabad Chorangi were among the roads flooded with waist-high water, leaving people and cars stranded for hours.
Residents complained of prolonged power outages lasting more than 36 hours.
Early Tuesday morning, Administrator Murtaza Wahab tweeted that the situation at the II Chundrigar Road had improved after the water level of the city nullah came down.
Meanwhile, data released by the PDMA revealed that Karachi’s Keamari received the highest amount of rainfall (231.75mm) in the last 24 hours followed by District East (203.3mm), Korangi (191mm), District South (132mm), District Central (129.8mm), Malir (98mm) and District West (53.9mm).
The monsoon rains have also wreaked havoc in Balochistan, where the government has now imposed Section 144 (power to issue order absolute at once in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) of the Code of Criminal Procedure on swimming and picnics near dams, rivers and other water bodies across the province for a month.
Separately, more than 600 houses were swept away in the floods. According to the report, Bolan, Quetta, Zhob, Dakki, Khasdar, Kohlu, Ketch, Mastung, Harnai, Qila Saifullah, and Sibi were among the most affected areas.
Meanwhile, the disaster management authorities were busy in relief operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday after two people were killed and three injured during rains and floods in Swabi, Malakand, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Nowshera on Monday.
According to authorities, the fast-flowing waters swept away houses and schools in the areas leading to severe damage to the infrastructure.
KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has instructed all the agencies to remain on high alert, while teams have been dispatched to rescue stranded people.
Separately, the PDMA has said that its control room was active 24/7 and urged people to report any untoward incident to the helpline 1700.
More rains expected across the country
In a report today, Radio Pakistan stated that rain, wind, and thunder showers were expected in Islamabad, upper and central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, eastern Balochistan, Kashmir, and lower Sindh during the next 12 hours.
Heavy falls were likely in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, upper Punjab, and Kashmir.
Separately, the Met department predicted heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in Karachi, Thatta, Badin and Hyderabad from July 14.
Chief meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz said the new weather system headed towards the city would last until July 18-19.
Sarfaraz also said that intermittent rain with thunder was also expected in Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Tando Mohammad Khan. He also warned of a risk of flooding in low-lying areas in Karachi, Badin, Thatta, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the federal and provincial civic bodies to closely monitor the safety measures ahead of the monsoon spell starting Thursday.
The prime minister asked the authorities concerned to ensure a proper precautionary system for the people across the country including Sindh, Balochistan and South Punjab.
PM Sharif lauded the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for extending support to provincial governments and institutions in controling the situation amid heavy rains.
He mentioned unity, cooperation and selfless service to the people as strength of his government.
The prime minister also paid tribute to the provincial governments and the institutions for their services in protecting the lives and property of the people.
He urged the departments concerned to do their best to serve the people with dedication.
In a message to the workers and staffers of civic bodies, he said the spirit of helping the mankind was in fact the greatest and noble service.
He commended the departments responsible for municipal and civic measures including the police for showing a great spirit of public service during the Eid holidays.
