THE Provincial Government yesterday [July 27] declared rain-battered Karachi a “calamity area” to tackle the situation on a war-footing; and the administration geared all resources for rescue and relief of the victims of the calamity.

By last night, about 60,000 people had already been taken out from low-lying areas and shifted to safer places, while more were still coming in.

Side by side, public and private agencies and social organisations were set in full motion to rush basic necessities of life to the rescued persons in 60 relief camps all over the City.

Meanwhile, the death toll rose to 26 as two more bodies were picked up yesterday — one each from Lyari and Malir rivers.

After three days of downpour and intermittent rains during which over 17 inches of rain was recorded, the citizens [took] a sigh of relief when the sky cleared and the scorching sun helped waterlogged roads dry out fast.

The City which came alive yesterday was expected to move further towards normalcy if the forecast of the weather prophets — chance drizzle tonight and early morning — came true.

With the clear weather the civic bodies also dispersed their engineering squads to attend to immediate road repairs and other damages.

The renovation would be taken up after a survey of the actual damage and the appropriation of necessary funds.

Simultaneously, the Karachi Municipal Corporation and other public bodies started a mass vaccination drive to prevent epidemics.

Fifty-five vaccination centres, mostly in low-lying areas, have already been opened. Mobile units were ordered to visit the remaining parts of the City.

According to the Commissioner, Syed Darbar Ali Shah the situation was now “under control”.

The Provincial Relief Commissioner, Mr A.H. Qureshi, who flew Into Karachi last evening, is holding a high-level meeting to discuss relief operations. Prior to the meeting, Mr Qureshi will himself tour the worst affected areas.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2017