KARACHI, Feb 13: The lingering cold weather in the city has reduced the consumption of water. Many areas that normally do not get adequate supply are getting an abundant supply of this precious commodity these days. And the blunted sunshine fails to evaporate the stagnant water and sewage. Water leaking and sewage overflowing and staying put in open spaces can be seen at numerous places in the city.

The growing sewage problem is seen everywhere. Some areas, however, are more affected by it than others. One such area is Sectors 48-B and A, off Korangi No 2.

Sewage gushing out of the mains has flooded the road leading to Korangi’s sprawling graveyard. Those having to visit the graveyard on foot find it unusable. Even motorists cringe while having to drive on it.

Besides the graveyard, this road links many houses with the main Korangi road. “Deep potholes that have developed in the middle of the road are a nightmare for those passing on it at night,” says a motorist who returns home from work after midnight. “I have to drive very carefully to avoid these potholes but sometimes I can’t see them.”

At places streets are inundated with gutter water. “Parts of the area will submerge under the rising filthy water if the situation is not controlled soon,” says a resident.

The sewage-flooded area is not only stinking, but also serving as an ideal hatchery for mosquitoes.

A former coordinator of local bodies alleges that the deluge of sewage has been unleashed in his neighbourhood to victimize him. Siraj Naqvi says when he was at the helm in the area, he had better managed the civic problems with a smaller workforce.

“Now they have divided the locality into two union councils with a total of 38 councillors, four Naib Nazims and two Nazims,” says Mr Naqvi, adding that the present setup has 80 workmen for maintaining the area’s sanitation whereas he had only 21 for the same workload.

Residents say they have approached the area councillors and the Nazims to seek their help to get the problem solved. “But despite their repeated assurances, the problem is growing worse with nothing being done,” said a social worker of the locality.

A resident says although people pay an annual tax to the civic agency concerned, the amount is not spent on the improvement of the locality’s sanitation.

He suggests that a committee be formed. It collect Rs50 from each house every month and the amount be spent exclusively on maintaining sanitation in the locality.

At one place the sewage deluge has been diverted to the stormwater drain, passing along the main Korangi Road.

The drain itself is choking with garbage of every conceivable kind. Polyethylene bags and other floating material have formed thick blankets on most of the drains.

At Nasir Colony, sweepers and sweepresses were seen collecting trash on the road and dumping it into the drain.—Naseer Ahmad