KARACHI: Storm-water drains found choked at several places
KARACHI, July 13: The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, has identified encroachments and illegal constructions on drains as the main cause of their choking and can play a havoc with the city during monsoon rains.
“The KWSB, which had been assigned cleaning work on June 17 last, has completed 70 per cent of the task, however, it faces hindrances mainly in Saddar and Lyari towns followed by Keamari town where drains are covered by RCC structures making it difficult to undertake cleaning,” said Aasoodo Mal, Chief Engineer, KWSB.
He was speaking at a seminar on rain contingency plans, organized by the Pakistan Press Foundation at its Vicky Zeitlin Media Library on Thursday.
The concerned staff, he said, cannot enter drains because of unauthorized structures.
These drains have been found choked at several places. At some places, they were blocked by bags filled with sandstone used for shuttering for construction of buildings. Even some government agencies, including KPT, Civil Aviation Authority and town administrations were involved in blocking of the drains, he added.
The KWSB official said that the KPT had closed two drains in Clifton, which now have been cleaned and opened. The Kalri drain was closed due to construction of culverts by the Keamari town administration. Similarly, the CAA had closed the Chakor drain, which has now been opened.
About a drain passing near Sindh Secretariat, where Urdu bazaar and local government department office are built, Aasoodo Mal said this drain is choked at about 10 points.
“Under a strategy, we are trying first clean choking points of these main drains, which are 232 km in length. The cleaning of 768km distribution drains is yet to follow,” he said.
He said that the KWSB has asked the KESC to ensure uninterrupted power supply to sewerage and water pumping stations so that these systems could be maintained during rainy season.
DIG Traffic Falak Khurshed told the participants that his department had identified about 100 points in all the four traffic zones where rainwater accumulates. Talking about manpower constraints faced by his department, he said that Karachi Traffic Police consists of 3,500 personnel, of which 200 often avail leaves, some 200 were on training courses and about 150 were posted at three driving license offices.
Despite such limitations, the traffic police have arranged necessary equipment under the contingency plan to cope with the situation, he added.
Masood Alam, DO, Civil Defence, CDGK, said that 20 departments are being coordinated under the contingency plan while the 134 helpline has been integrated with all the fire stations.
He stated that the CDGK has identified 60 low-lying areas where rainwater accumulates. “We have arranged de-watering pumps in all the 18 towns besides 30 such pumps for emergency to rush where they are needed,” he said.
Kazim Ali, Chief Fire Officer, CDGK, stated that four fire stations have been declared as rain emergency centres.
Since the department of fire brigade service has been renamed as fire and rescue service, its entire staff performs such duties.
People visit beaches where high tides begin since May 25. Currently, 300 to 350 cases were being dealt with daily by the lifeguards at different points. Heavy rains in Karachi generally begin from Aug 14 during which incidents of electrocution, collapse of buildings and landslides are reported. This follows possibilities of cyclones, he said.
Kazim Ali stated that notices have been given to the inmates of 140 buildings declared dangerous in Karachi.—PPI
