KARACHI, Sept 5: Due to the extra efforts of the fire brigade department of the city government, no casualty has occurred at the beaches falling under the city government’s jurisdiction, including Clifton, Hawkesbay, Sandspit and Cape Monze, for the first time in years, despite the fact that additional support from lifeguards of the Pakistan Navy and legal cover of section 144 was not available this year.

Though the high tide season in Karachi has not ended (it lasts officially from mid May till Sept 15), the sea usually looses its ferocity after the month of August.

A large number of Karachiites visit Hawkesbay, Sandspit, Paradise Point and Cape Monze from May to the mid of October, when the maximum number of visitors can reach up to fifty thousand.

Prior to the implementation of the devolution system, Section 144 used to be imposed at all beaches banning swimming, water sports and even bathing by the deputy commissioners’ concerned, which was not done this year.

Besides, 12 life guards from the PNS Himalaya patrolled Sandspit and Hawkesbay beaches last year to implement section 144 and support rescue efforts.

Though about 10 persons die every year due to drowning in the city, the figure is controllable only because of extensive patrolling by 30 life guards of the city government, 14 of the former KDA, and around a dozen from the Edhi Foundation.

According to the figures from these beaches, there were four fatalities in 1998, followed by 17 drowning cases in 1999, which include eleven persons who drowned on August 14.

In the year 2000, nine people died, while six died last year. There has been no casualty this year because the incharge of the ERC, Mohammad Shahid, efficiently commanded his team of 30 life guards who were placed at all vulnerable points from Sandspit to Cape Monze, including the KANUP point and other dangerous spots.—PPI