KARACHI, June 13: Amid growing accidents at city beaches, six out of total nine watchtowers are in a deteriorating condition, while the remaining three are without electricity and any watchdog system in the night.

Despite the fact that a large number of people visit beaches, there are no lifeguards present at the watchtowers and beaches.

A majority of the huts located along beaches do not have any life-saving equipment, including rope, life jackets and first-aid boxes. Last year, eight people had drowned at Sandspit as there were no lifeguards in the wee hours.

There are five agencies, including the city government, Defence Housing Authority, Karachi Port Trust, Clifton Cantonment and Pakistan Navy, which are responsible for monitoring 35 km-long coastal areas wherein 11 picnic points are located. However, only Sea View has the flood-lights.

The defunct KMC had set up nine watchtowers along beaches with necessary equipment, however, as the time passed, six watchtowers have been destroyed due to negligence by concerned officials. He said the remaining three watchtowers are in working condition but without electricity and other necessary equipment.

One overseer each has recently been posted on the three watchtowers, who perform their duty between 9am and 7pm.

Though, the city government has imposed section 144 banning swimming and bathing on five picnic points, including Cape Monze, Neelam Point, Sunera Beach and Mubarak Village, citizens often defy the ban resulting in accidental deaths.-—Online