Karachi reeling from intense wet spell

">Karachi but the city is still submerged in rainwater creating acute difficulties for citizens. As many as three people have died in rain-related incidents in the city, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.

Several areas of the city have been cut off from the rest of the city due to accumulation of water. The II Chandrigarh Road, Gulistan Johar and many areas in Defence have been deluged after the ferocious rains which lashed the city for the last few days. 

Provincial Minister for Local Government Nasir Hussain Shah, Sharjeel Memon and Mukesh Kumar visited the affected areas. The deputy commissioners and officials of other concerned departments also accompanied them. 

The local government minister inspected the NICVD and KPT Underpass areas and gave directions regarding the de-watering of the areas.

Sharjeel Memon in his tweet said that if anyone wanted shelter due to heavy rains, then the Sindh government would provide them shelter. He said that people could call on PDMA Helpline 1736 or they could contact on CM House Complain Cell 919 to place their complaint/request. 

If anyone needs help regarding some shelter due to heavy rain please contact on these numbers which we have already given. Government of Sindh is ready to provide shelter if any serious issue. https://t.co/TKDJIfDCOU

— Sharjeel Inam Memon (@sharjeelinam) July 11, 2022

Since last few days rains are continuing in karachi. This is the chart of just last 24 hours. But still sindh government is completely available on the roads and managing dewatering process through natural drains and manual pumping. We will not sleep until process will complete. pic.twitter.com/KP9LGNnomp

— Sharjeel Inam Memon (@sharjeelinam) July 11, 2022

Most developed cities (across the world!) have flooded over the years due to #ClimateChange resulting in unprecedented rain. #Karachi is no exception & just broke its own record (more accurate to say floods). #PPP Sindh gov was on site 24/7 (rain needs to stop before clearing) https://t.co/fajfpAjZV4

— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) July 12, 2022

According to the Pakistan Metrological Department, a new rainy spell will enter on July 14 and it will continue till July 18. The PMD said that like previous monsoon spell, it would also be strong and bring heavy showers in Karachi that may again lead to urban flooding.

The local government experts have put the blame of the Karachi inundation on the inexperienced officers. They are of the opinion that the city is more in need of BTech engineers than professional engineers. They maintain that since the BTech engineers have been sidelined, the cleanliness of drains and nullahs is not being done properly.  

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Monday directed all relevant departments to expedite work to address the rain emergency. After a visit to several water-logged areas along with Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab and other officials, he issued instructions to immediately drain the road leading to Jinnah Hospital from Taj Mahal Hotel so vehicles shouldn't face problems reaching the hospital.

He also issued orders to deploy suction pumps across the city to speed up the drainage of water.

Talking to media, CM Shah said there was a severe spell of rain in various areas of District South, about 232mm — nine inches — within 15 hours. He highlighted the challenges that authorities faced when attempting to clear the flooded roads. He said as soon as the rain let up, resources already deployed to various localities were put to work.

Meanwhile, since the low-lying areas of Karachi are inundated, the fuel stations have closed the petrol pumps fearing that water would seep into them. 

The Petrol Dealers Association has said that they would restore the petrol supply only when the rainwater would be drained. They said that petrol supply vehicles were not supplying them fuel. 

On the other hand, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce has demanded of the government to declare the city calamity-hit. 

KCCI President Adrees Memon said that the entire city was presenting a picture of huge pool. He demanded of the government to waive all taxes of the city and announce special grants for it. 

Old woman dies in roof collapse

An old woman was killed when the roof of her house was collapsed in Gujjar locality of Federal B area. 

According to area residents, the old woman was saying Isha prayers when the roof of her house caved in due to heavy rain. 

Yesterday, five other people were killed by electrocution in various areas of the city. 

62 die during rainy spell in Balochistan

According to the PDMA report, the heavy rainy spell which has battered Balochistan has so far claimed 62 lives and injured 48 people. 

The deceased included 23 women and 24 children. The deaths occurred in Bolan, Quetta, Zhob, Dikki and Mastung, the report said. 

Breach occurred in Chattha Canal in DG Khan 

On the other hand, a breach occurred in the Shoria Canal in Kot Chattha, Dera Ghazi Khan.

The breach is 8 feet wide and the gushing waters have inundated the nearby areas. Now the flashflood is heading towards Basti Mandowala and Basti Nawa to deluge them. 

People have started repairing the breach on their own as no official from the irrigation department has reached the place after a lapse of almost five hours. 

Reporters Rizwan Ahmad, Rana Saleem and Samar Abbas