HYDERABAD: Considering the topography of Hyderabad, a drainage system for handling 100mm rainfall per hour is neither resource-wise nor economically viable as the entire drainage here is done through pumping dependent on regular electricity supply.

This was stated by Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday while speaking to journalists at the mayor’s secretariat after a brief visit to the rain-affected areas. He was accompanied by Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Hyderabad Mayor Kashif Shoro, CM’s special assistant Abdul Jabbar Khan and others.

About the performance of the administration and Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC), he said they had performed ‘relatively better’ in the heavy rain of 107mm on July 14. He, however, promised that people would witness a marked change in Hyderabad ever-since its mayor was elected from the PPP.

He said he visited the areas which had been dewatered and also witnessed the locations where the problem still existed. He said that instead of gravitational flows of the system, Hyderabad’s topography necessitated pumping of accumulating rainwater.

CM pays brief visit to rain-affected areas

Since the city had low-lying areas, therefore, they were dependent on pumping stations for drainage. The Hyderabad Water & Sewerage Corporation (HW&SC), Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC) and administration had ‘relatively performed’ better. He claimed that 80pc of rainwater had been drained out in 24 hours.

Without naming anyone, he said ‘tradition’ of recovery of gunny bags — inserted by unknown persons in the drainage system — remained intact in Hyderabad and such bags were recovered near Railway Station pumping station which was manned by the Pakistan Railways authorities.

He said people knew the names of the miscreants.

The CM said those unusual rains in the country were attributable to climate change.

He said everyone had seen post-rain condition in New York and New Jersey, therefore, it was unrealistic to think that rainwater started draining out when it was raining.

‘Cloud burst’ & new projects

CM Shah sidestepped the question about the Hyderabad deputy commissioner’s claim of ‘severe outbursts’ on July 14, saying that there were meteorological experts available there. “But if anyone has made such a claim then ignore it. Why are you guys worried about it? Everyone however understands that the rain was heavy”.

He said he had witnessed some ongoing projects in the city, including Autobahn Road, and its phase-I & II were ready for inauguration by the end of this or early the next month. He said phase-III would be completed by February 2026. He said he had also seen the project of Abdul Sattar Edhi Road which was being connected through bridges at different locations.

The CM said he was told that around 1,100ft of land was under encroachment. He said the government would try to rehabilitate those affected by the removal of encroachment.

He said Darya Khan pumping station was to be connected with Karo Ghangro drain (of the irrigation department) for the disposal of rainwater and effluent on gravity basis.

Regarding the quick drainage capacity, he remarked that “Everything hinges on resource availability. What it will cost if I design a 150mm rainfall per hour system. Will electricity be available for it?”

He said around three years ago New York faced the same problem. Even if the drainage system for100mm rainfall per hour was designed, it would not be resource-wise and economically possible especially for Hyderabad where pumping of rainwater was required. It was again linked with uninterrupted power supply, he added.

He said the PPP was not part of the third tier of the government as people elected its mayor in Hyderabad and he was committed to serving people sans discrimination. He said the drainage system was encroached upon.

He said Autobahn Road was cleared of encroachments and even eight-storey buildings were demolished and such an action was allowed by those who were in power there.

Those who were willing to talk, they should be told about the facts as to who had defaced the city. The PPP’s critics should not be given a carte blanche to say whatever they wanted. “This city used to be an ideal city and it started facing destruction after 1970s.” He informed that the HW&SC would have to be self-sustaining body and consumers would have to pay for the services they were given.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2025