KARACHI: The Karachi administrator on Wednesday directed his subordinate staffers to make all necessary arrangements for monsoon rains before start of the rainy season.

“The existing dewatering pumps of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation should be kept ready and if more pumps are required, immediate purchase should be made. Full arrangements will be made all over Karachi for the monsoon season this year,” Administrator Laeeq Ahmed said while addressing a meeting held to review measures for upcoming monsoon season.

Relevant officials attended the meeting. The administrator said that this time the entire responsibility of storm-water drainage and other matters had been handed over to the engineering department while other officers concerned and employees will work under it.

Additional staff and resources will also be provided to the engineering department.

Mr Ahmed said that during the rains, all officers and employees, including himself, will be present on roads to assist citizens.

“Every effort will be made to complete the drainage process as soon as possible and remove the stagnant water safely,” he added.

The administrator directed that planning for rainwater drainage should be carried out urgently for 11 underpasses and 106 roads managed by KMC so that any emergency situation could be dealt with in timely and efficient manner.

He said that trucks and other vehicles should also be arranged ahead of time to move the dewatering pumps from one place to another in case of emergency during rains.

He said that special attention should be paid to the tail-end areas where water accumulates.

“Arrangements should be made in the light of past experiences so that citizens can be protected from any untoward situation,” he said.

He asked the director general of works to pay immediate attention to make roads motorable, especially in West district wherever necessary.

Laeeq Ahmed directed the chief engineer electrical and mechanical to continue the maintenance and repair work of streetlights and special attention be paid to it during the monsoon season so that the roads remain well-lit and there would be no obstruction in drainage works.

The administrator said that the KMC would fulfil its responsibilities throughout the city with regard to the monsoon and every effort would be made to help citizens.

He asked the officers to immediately implement the given instructions and adopt a strategy that would resolve problems of people and enable them to enjoy the rains without facing any difficulty.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2021