Karachi authorities declare emergency as westerly wave brings rainfall to city, nearby areas

KARACHI: Local authorities declared an emergency as various areas of the city and its surroundings witnessed rainfall on Thursday due to a westerly wave approaching the metropolis.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) recorded rainfall in various areas, including Quaidabad, Malir and surrounding areas, as well as PAF Faisal Base and Jinnah Terminal, earlier this morning.

Light rain has also been recorded in Gulshan-i-Maymar and surrounding areas, with spells of heavy rain reported in Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Saddar, Clifton, Garden and Keamari.

According to rainfall figures issued by the PMD as of 11am, Bahria Town received the highest amount of rain (20.5 millimetres).

This was followed by Surjani Town (12.6mm), University Road (8.2mm), Gulshan-i-Maymar (7.2mm), Jinnah Terminal (6.2mm), Keamari (6mm), Old Area Airport (5.6mm), DHA Phase II (5mm), Mauripur (3mm), Shahrah-i-Faisal (0.4mm), and Gulshan-i-Hadeed (traces).

Weather radar imagery from around 10am showed a heavy downpour over the northern parts of the city, along with isolated hail.

Today’s maximum temperature was expected to be between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius, the PMD said. It forecasted mostly cloudy weather, with strong winds and thundershowers and heavy rain at a few places.

Rain emergency declared in Karachi

A rain emergency has been declared in Karachi as rainfall is expected to continue.

Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi said the city administration has activated measures to deal with the rainfall, adding that citizens could contact the rescue helpline at 1299 for any complaints or assistance.

The staff of relevant institutions has been deployed under the supervision of assistant commissioners, he added.

He said that the staff of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) and the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB), town administrations, and necessary machinery and vehicles were active, and work to drain accumulated water from the roads was underway.

“They will perform relief work and grievance redressal duties, including helping in water drainage traffic problems,” he said.

To deal with the rainfall, all deputy commissioners have been directed to remain alert, and concerned officers to stay in the field.

In addition, rain emergency help desks and camps have been established in various districts and subdivisions at the instructions of the commissioner.

In District East, help desks have been established at Nipa Chowrangi, National Stadium, Exhibition Chowrangi, Samama Chowk, Madras Chowk, Safoora Chowrangi and Sohrab Goth.

In District South, help desks have been established at MA Jinnah Road, Shaheen Complex Chowk, KMT Main Office, Town Administration Lyari Office, Chakiwara and other areas.

In District Keamari, they are in Baldia Town Office, the Keamari DC’s office, Truck Stand Mauripur and Gulberg Interchange Site.

In District Central, water pumps have been deployed at Ayesha Manzil and other places in the Gulberg sub-division, while arrangements were being made for more.

Sindh government cautions citizens, makes advance arrangements

The Sindh government appealed to citizens to exercise caution during rainy weather.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that, in view of the rains, advance arrangements have been made and the leaves of essential staff have been cancelled.

Additional de-watering pumps have been installed for the timely drainage of rainwater from low-lying areas, he said, while drainage chokepoints at various locations in the city have already been identified. Staff have been deployed to monitor these chokepoints, he added.

“The officers of the relevant provincial government institutions and local government institutions have been instructed to remain in the field on high alert,” he added.

Memon asked citizens to follow precautionary measures and contact the relevant institutions immediately in case of an emergency.

Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Javed Alam Odho also directed police control rooms to remain on high alert, adding that full contact should be maintained with rescue agencies to deal with emergency situations.