Karachi Paralyzed by Saturday’s Heavy Rainfall

Karachi Rain

KARACHI:

Saturday’s torrential downpour in the metropolis wreaked havoc, bringing the routine life to a standstill. The repercussions of the heavy rainfall continued into Sunday, leaving thousands stranded on rain-drenched streets overnight and causing extensive damage to vehicles and disrupted routines.

The deluge severely crippled Karachi for several hours, with flooded roads and accumulated sewage causing widespread difficulties. The election activities took a back seat as political parties shifted their focus to door-to-door campaigning amidst the chaos.

The one-hour rain on Saturday swamped the entire city, affecting both main roads and inner streets. Pedestrians faced numerous challenges navigating through waterlogged areas, and thousands were forced to abandon their vehicles, resulting in extensive damage to motorcycles.

What added to the citizens’ plight was the exorbitant rickshaw fares, reaching up to Rs2,000 for short distances.

Despite the dire situation, the Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) failed to implement adequate water drainage measures. The city mayor’s visits to different areas revealed scenes of destruction, highlighting the inefficacy of local government representatives, including town supervisors from various political affiliations.

Rescue services, particularly Rescue 1122, were conspicuously absent during the crisis, exacerbating the challenges faced by citizens. The failure of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board to provide relief further compounded the situation.

The heavy rainfall not only disrupted daily life but also cast a shadow over political activities. Political parties were forced to postpone scheduled events, while the TLP convened a meeting to assess the situation.

Elected local government representatives found themselves in a challenging position as citizens criticized their response, creating opportunities for rival political parties to exploit the situation.

As Karachi gears up for the upcoming general elections, the difficulties caused by the rain pose a significant challenge for political parties seeking votes. While the long-term impact on the political landscape remains uncertain, the immediate aftermath paints a grim picture of the citizens’ plight after enduring 10 to 12 hours of hardship.

Despite the predicament, local government-affiliated political parties face an uphill battle as they strive to connect with the public for votes amidst the aftermath of the rain. The coming days will reveal the lasting impact of this rain-induced crisis on the city and its political dynamics.

Wall-less Nullah Claims Another Life

The body of an unidentified 45-year-old man was discovered in the drain of Baldia Town No2 within the limits of the SITE-B police station around midnight on Saturday.

Upon receiving the information, the police promptly arrived at the scene. After taking the body into custody, it was shifted to Dr. Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital mortuary.

SHO Muhammad Masood of SITE-B stated that the police were searching for the deceased’s heirs, who were ultimately located.

The victim, Syed Muhammad Fakhr Alam, a resident of Baldia Town Sector 5L, worked at a factory named Kausar Dyeing in the SITE area. According to SHO Masood, Syed Muhammad Fakhr Alam had left home to go on duty during the heavy rain in the city on Saturday night and subsequently went missing.

His body was found in the Nallah on Sunday morning. It is suspected that he fell into the Nallah, which lacked a safety wall, resulting in the tragic incident.

After completing legal proceedings, the police handed over the deceased’s body to his brother, Syed Tanveer Alam.

In a separate incident, a young man lost his life due to electrocution at his home in the Jut Lines area. The family of 19-year-old Dilawar stated that he received a fatal shock from a naked electric wire during the rain.

Meanwhile, two people were injured due to the collapse of the wall at China Park on Kashmir Road in the Ferozabad area. Edhi volunteers promptly took them to Jinnah Hospital for immediate medical assistance.

According to rescue officials, the victims were identified as 65-year-old Junaid and 35-year-old Waseem.

Roof Collapse in Moinabad, Shrafi Goth

The roof of a house collapsed in Moinabad, Shrafi Goth, leaving two women injured.

According to Sharafi Goth police, 26-year-old Samar and 40-year-old Firdous were injured when the dilapidated roof of their house caved in during the heavy rainfall. They were rushed to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for medical treatment.

SSP Malir Tariq Elahi Mastoi has issued instructions for the Malir district police to remain vigilant and protect the lives and property of its citizens. All DSPs and SHOs have been directed to assist the rain-affected citizens in their respective areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2024.

– Karachi rain havoc
– Grapples with rain havoc in Karachi.