Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the city’s rain emergency preparedness and directed all civic agencies to complete the cleaning of stormwater drains before the arrival of the monsoon season.
Officials said the meeting was attended by all deputy commissioners, the Municipal Commissioner of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), municipal commissioners of the Town Municipal Administrations (TMAs), representatives of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), cantonment boards, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation, the Karachi Development Authority (KDA), K-Electric, police, Pakistan Rangers, Rescue 1122, and other relevant departments.
The commissioner reviewed the emergency arrangements initiated by various departments under the supervision of deputy commissioners and stressed that drain cleaning should be treated as a top priority. He instructed deputy commissioners to closely monitor the ongoing desilting operations being carried out by the KMC and TMAs and ensure that all work was completed before the onset of heavy rains.
Naqvi directed deputy commissioners to maintain close coordination with civic agencies, hold regular meetings with KMC and TMA officials in their respective districts, identify obstacles affecting rainwater drainage, and provide all possible administrative support to ensure the timely completion of the work.
The commissioner also took serious notice of complaints regarding the dumping of garbage into stormwater drains, saying the practice reduces the effectiveness of the drainage system and increases the risk of urban flooding. He directed deputy commissioners to coordinate with the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, KMC, and TMAs to prevent waste from being dumped into drains and to take corrective measures wherever required.
During the meeting, KMC officials informed participants that the cleaning of the city’s 45 major stormwater drains had begun in June. It was decided that the KMC and TMAs would accelerate work on these major drains as well as around 550 smaller drains to improve the city’s preparedness for the monsoon season.
The meeting also reviewed the availability of de-watering pumps, heavy machinery, and manpower required for rain emergency operations. Municipal Commissioner KMC Abrar Jaffar and municipal commissioners of various TMAs briefed the commissioner on the progress of drain cleaning and other preparedness measures.
Officials informed the meeting that all relevant departments had been placed on alert and comprehensive contingency plans had been prepared to respond to heavy rainfall. To improve coordination during emergencies, it was decided that K-Electric would establish a dedicated help desk at the Karachi Commissioner’s Control Room under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner (Headquarters) Iqra Jannat.
The meeting further resolved that the PDMA, KMC, TMAs, cantonment boards, and other civic agencies would work in close coordination to prevent waterlogging in low-lying areas, underpasses, and internal roads. Special arrangements, including the deployment of additional personnel, de-watering pumps, and necessary machinery, would be made at locations that had experienced severe water accumulation during previous monsoon seasons.
