I NEED not elaborate on what happened to Karachi when the clouds burst and a short spell of approximately two hours of rain submerged the whole city.

While Karachi was sinking Nasir Shah and Saeed Ghani were cutting the birthday cake to celebrate Asif Zardari’s birthday. It was like ‘while Rome was burning, Nero was playing flute’.

Murad Ali Shah was nowhere to be seen. Wasim Akhtar was out but for photo op. It is now clear like broad daylight that these people will never do anything for Karachi’s welfare. They have left it to scavengers.

So my last hope is the chief justice of Pakistan, who is requested to take sou motu action against the officials named above because they are not doing their job but enjoying all the perks and privileges given to them by the state.

Lastly, I would quote John Lewis, the renowned civil rights activist who breathed his last recently: “If not us, then who? If not now, then when?”

A. Siddiqui
Karachi

(2)

RAIN is a blessing of Allah. Karachi’s average rainfall is 60mm in July and 61mm in August. This is not alarming and should not cause flood. But it is common experience that throughout Karachi main roads, well-developed posh areas, and streets are flooded whenever it rains.

This is mainly owing to the poor drainage system, which is choked and does not allow rainwater to flow. Even though government agencies concerned publicise their drainage cleaning and emergency services before July, it seems a complete failure.

Almost every citizen of Karachi has to face traffic jams, broken roads, uncovered gutters, overflowing waterways, choked drainage, submerged residential areas, unexpected and long power outages, contaminated drinking water, etc.

We have already suffered many bad days during this July owing to rain, and August is around the corner. The authorities concerned need to take every precautionary measure to avoid a repetition of what we have seen in July.

Rahmeen Urooj Zaidi
Karachi

(3)

EVEN after the rain alerts by meteorologists, no precautionary measures were taken. The very first drizzle in Karachi exposed the faulty and poor drainage system, turning roads into rivers.

Choked gutters forced rainwater along with garbage to enter houses and shops. This leads to a rise in skin diseases such as irritation, rashes, fungal infections, etc.

All main roads and intersections were seen submerged in rainwater. Several cars and other vehicles could be seen stuck in water, while the rain also caused deaths from electrocution. The water inside shops ruined electronic items, accessories and other goods.

The government needs to wake up, clean up the mess and be ready for another spell of rain.

Suhail Saeed Tunio
Larkana

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2020