KARACHI: Mayor barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that storm-water drain cleaning will continue throughout the monsoon season with municipal staff and machinery remaining on duty round-the-clock to prevent urban flooding and ensure smooth drainage during rainfall.
Speaking during the inspection of drainage arrangements ahead of the monsoon on Tuesday, the mayor said leave for Municipal Services Department staff had been cancelled.
Officers, engineers and operational teams will remain in the field to respond quickly to any rain-related emergency, he added.
Urges people not to dump garbage in drains
Accompanied by Municipal Commissioner Abrar Ahmed Jaffer and other officials, the mayor inspected storm-water drain at Glass Tower, Gurumandir, Jahangir Road and Crescent Colony to review the pace of cleaning work and drainage arrangements.
Taking notice of complaints about a blocked drain at Glass Tower, he directed officials to remove the obstruction immediately and ensure that all reports of blocked drains were addressed on a priority basis.
Mayor Wahab said the special cleaning operation for 45 major storm-water drains under the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) began on June 15 and would continue until September 15.
He added that cleaning work was progressing in South, East, Central, West, Korangi, Keamari and Malir districts.
He said choking points were being identified and cleared in phases, while waste removed from drains was being transported to designated landfill sites to prevent it from returning to the drainage system.
The mayor directed officials to clear all major choking points before rains and warned that negligence in the operation would not be tolerated. He said he, along with senior KMC officials and elected representatives, would remain in the field during the rainy season to monitor the situation and ensure a prompt response to emergencies.
He also appealed the Karachiites not to throw garbage, construction debris, plastic bags or household waste into storm-water drains, roadside drains or sewerage channels, saying that public cooperation was essential to prevent waterlogging and urban flooding during the monsoon.
Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2026