Flooded by neglect
For an agricultural country, rain has always held the power to heal communities, rejuvenate crops and strengthen the livelihood of many. But since more than a decade ago, this divine gift has turned into a death sentence for Pakistanis residing in Karachi. Yet again, despite repeated opportunities to prepare for the upcoming monsoonal season, the city is headed towards destruction as delayed funding obstruct full-scale drain clean-ups. With 20 to 30 per cent more rainfall expected this year, Karachi is instead preparing for flooded roads, collapsing infrastructure, waterborne diseases and severe economic disruption.
While KMC awaits funding and support for its large-scale cleaning operations, urban academics highlight the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board's failure to prevent the dumping of garbage into storm drains which reduces their operational capacity. In turn, the Board has touted its own lack of funding. At the centre of the tango that these corporations and government bodies are enmeshed in, stands a man in knee-deep water trying to get to work at the risk of electrocution from exposed electrical wiring. The horrors of urban flooding caused by rainfall are endless. Not only the derelict neighbouhoods but many posh areas also turn into cesspools. Major thoroughfares remain impassable for days due to standing water standing.
In 2020, Karachi saw its worst flooding in almost a century - which killed at least 41 people - and that was majorly caused by the city's poorly maintained drainage systems. There is no shortage of evidence proving that drain clean-ups demand immediate action. According to experts, the upcoming cleaning efforts have already been rendered less effective due to current delays. And since they are time-intensive, their efficacy will only continue to decline with every passing day - unless urgent action is taken.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Flooded by neglect
For an agricultural country, rain has always held the power to heal communities, rejuvenate crops and strengthen the livelihood of many. But since more than a decade ago, this divine gift has turned into a death sentence for Pakistanis residing in Karachi. Yet again, despite repeated opportunities to prepare for the upcoming monsoonal season, the city is headed towards destruction as delayed funding obstruct full-scale drain clean-ups. With 20 to 30 per cent more rainfall expected this year, Karachi is instead preparing for flooded roads, collapsing infrastructure, waterborne diseases and severe economic disruption. While KMC awaits funding and support for its large-scale cleaning operations, urban academics highlight the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board's failure to prevent the dumping of garbage into storm drains which reduces their operational capacity. In turn, the Board has touted its own lack of funding. At the centre of the tango that these corporations and government bodies are enmeshed in, stands a man in knee-deep water trying to get to work at the risk of electrocution from exposed electrical wiring. The horrors of urban flooding caused by rainfall are endless. Not only the derelict neighbouhoods but many posh areas also turn into cesspools. Major thoroughfares remain impassable for days due to standing water standing. In 2020, Karachi saw its worst flooding in almost a century - which killed at least 41 people - and that was majorly caused by the city's poorly maintained drainage systems. There is no shortage of evidence proving that drain clean-ups demand immediate action. According to experts, the upcoming cleaning efforts have already been rendered less effective due to current delays. And since they are time-intensive, their efficacy will only continue to decline with every passing day - unless urgent action is taken.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
Delayed drain cleaning ups flood risk
With the monsoon season fast approaching, the government has yet to complete the Karimabad Underpass. During a heavy downpour, people can fall and die in the crater. PHOTO: PPI With the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasting above-normal rainfall in Karachi and other parts of Sindh, the city remains ill-prepared for the monsoon season as storm water drains remain uncleaned due to the delayed release of funds by the Sindh government. Sources have revealed to The Express Tribune that despite repeated warnings and past experiences of urban flooding, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has not received the required funds for comprehensive cleaning of the city's drainage network comprising of 586 storm drains, including 41 major ones under its jurisdiction. Experts have warned that the delay has already undermined the effectiveness of any upcoming cleaning efforts, as drains cannot be thoroughly cleared in a limited timeframe. "The monsoon season is just around the corner. If cleaning doesn't begin now, large paths of Karachi could be submerged," said an official close to the matter. Deputy Director of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Anjum Nazir Saigham, confirmed that Karachi and interior Sindh were likely to receive 20 to 30 per cent more rainfall than average this season. "We have already issued alerts to all concerned agencies about the high risk of urban flooding in Karachi and flash flooding in parts of interior Sindh," said Saigham. Historical data reinforces these warnings. In July 2022 alone, the Mauripur observatory recorded 584mm of rain, with a total of 757mm for the monsoon season. A single-day record of 230mm was set on August 27, 2020; the day that brought the port city to a standstill. KMC's Senior Director of Municipal Services, Abdul Hannan, confirmed that a funding request had been sent to the Sindh government, though he declined to specify the amount. According to a senior municipal officer, KMC has sought Rs650 million for the current season, in line with requests made in previous years, which ranged from Rs600 to Rs800 million. "Unfortunately, the provincial government has never released the full amount. Typically, Rs400 to Rs450 million are provided, and that too when the rains are already upon us," said the official. It is worth mentioning that although partial cleaning under KMC's annual maintenance contract began in May, full-scale work will only commence once funds are released and new contracts awarded. A KMC report identified 19 key locations where rainwater accumulates several feet deep every monsoon season. These include I.I. Chundrigar Road, Shahrah-e-Faisal (Nursery, Jinnah Bridge, FTC Flyover), Civic Centre, NIPA Chowrangi, Rashid Minhas Road, and parts of Gulistan-e-Johar and Liaquatabad. Other historically flood-prone areas include Nagan Chowrangi, Banaras, KDA Chowrangi, Safoora Goth, Surjani, Thado Dam, and Palm Village Malir. In addition, The Express Tribune has received reports of at least 30 other vulnerable neighbourhoods including Jehangir East & West, Martin Quarters, Korangi Industrial Area, Qayyumabad, Noorani Mohalla (New Karachi), Liaquatabad No. 4 and 10, Water Pump, and Cheel Chowk in Lyari, which face a high risk of flooding if preventive measures are not taken immediately. Urban planner Dr Syed Nawaz Al-Huda called for systemic reforms beyond emergency cleaning. "The tradition of dumping garbage into drains must end. The Sindh Solid Waste Management Board should ensure daily waste collection and removal to landfill sites. Separating sewer lines from storm water drains could save the government millions of rupees by preventing future crises. Storm water should drain from city roads within 30 minutes - which is the global standard. In Karachi, however, due to poor planning, water takes three to four hours to drain out," highlighted Dr Al-Huda.
Express Tribune
05-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Pilgrims begin Hajj under blazing sun
Pilgrims make their way to Mina as Saudi authorities ratchet up heat protection measures. Photo: REUTERS More or less 1.6 million pilgrims from around the world, including 115,000 Pakistanis, on Wednesday converged on the vast tent city of Mina for the five-day communion with their Creator, Allah Almighty, invoking His divine mercy and seeking forgiveness for their sins. The sprawling tent city of Mina, situated just outside Makkah, marks the first stop for pilgrims undertaking Hajj. They will spend the night there before departing at dawn on Thursday for the plains of Arafat, where they will observe Waqoof-e-Arafat, the Rukn-e-Azm of Hajj, in deep prayer and reflection, seeking divine blessings. Pilgrims will listen to the Hajj sermon in their tents, with translations available in 35 languages. They will perform Zohr and Asr prayers together and spend the entire day engaged in prayers and Talbia. With temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), robed pilgrims slowly circled the holy Kaaba. Authorities have ratcheted up heat protection measures such as extra shade to avoid a repeat of last year, when 1,301 people died as temperatures hit 51.8C (125.2F). On Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawafwalking seven times around the holy Kaaba. Shaded areas have been enlarged by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last week. Artificial intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds.
