KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) forecast of up to 200mm of rain in Karachi and up to 500mm in other cities across Sindh has prompted authorities to take urgent measures to mitigate the potential risk of urban flooding. Key departments have been placed on high alert for the four-day forecast period.
Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah convened a high-level meeting attended by provincial ministers, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Sukkur Mayor Arsalan Shaikh, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, and representatives from the army and navy, among others. During the meeting, PMD officials briefed the CM about the heavy rainfall expected in several cities, including Karachi.
The forecast indicates that cities such as Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar, Tando Muhammad Khan, and Tando Allah Yar may experience over 500mm of rainfall from August 27 to August 30, while Karachi is expected to receive up to 200mm during the same period.
A PMD official warned that torrential rains could lead to urban flooding in Karachi and other districts, including Thatta, Sujawal, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Hyderabad, Matiari, Dadu, Jamshoro, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Sanghar. In the northern districts of Sukkur, Larkana, Kambar Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, and Jacobabad, the heavy rains may result in waterlogging, with gusty winds potentially causing damage to loose structures, electrical installations, solar panels, and old trees.
In response, CM Murad Ali Shah alerted all local government organizations, district administrations, and the irrigation department to remain vigilant and prepared for any emergencies.
**Drainage and Emergency Measures:**
Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani informed the meeting that his department had taken steps to clean Karachi’s main stormwater drains, with similar measures in place in other large cities to manage the expected rainfall. Mayor Murtaza Wahab added that necessary machinery for cleaning drains had been provided to towns, and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation was actively maintaining the sewerage system. Additional equipment from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has been arranged to pump out water from low-lying areas if needed.
The CM also directed the commissioner to implement measures to prevent people from going into the sea and instructed the Fisheries Department to advise fishermen on necessary precautions during this period.
The meeting was informed that the PDMA’s stock of emergency supplies, including tents, tarpaulin sheets, mosquito nets, blankets, water coolers, jerry cans, and hygiene kits, was adequate and would be dispatched to districts if required.
The irrigation department was ordered to patrol river embankments on the Right Bank and the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) system to ensure any issues could be promptly addressed.
Finally, a rain-emergency cell was established at the CM Secretariat, with phone numbers 021-99207349 and 021-99207568 provided for citizens to lodge complaints against civic agencies or seek assistance.
