KARACHI, Aug 18: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim and City Nazim Mustafa Kamal, visited different areas of Karachi to ascertain the situation after heavy rainfall on Thursday.
During their visit to various city areas submerged in rain and sewerage water, the governor and the chief minister directed the authorities concerned to drain out water in low-lying city areas and provide relief to affected citizens.
The city-tour started from I I Chundrigar Road, which they crossed on feet and directed the CDGK staff, busy in draining out rainwater to expedite their efforts.
Later, they reached KPT Underpass Clifton through Tower, Keamari, Maulvi Tameezuddin Khan Road and Mai Kolachi and monitored efforts for removal of rainwater as well as inquired from area people about their problems.
City Nazim Karachi Mustafa Kamal briefed the governor and the CM about steps being taken by the city government staff for draining out rainwater from roads, improving cleanliness in the city and other relief activities.
Talking to newsmen on the occasion, Sindh CM Arbab Ghulam Rahim and City Nazim Mustafa Kamal said owing to comparatively fewer rainfalls in Karachi, previous government had made no arrangement to deal with any emergency situation in case of heavy rains in the city.
However, the present Sindh and city government were trying to prepare a comprehensive strategy so that in future, citizens do not face such difficulties and it would be ensured that city infrastructure remains intact and functional, they added.
They expressed the hope that after completion of ongoing development projects, citizens would face no such difficulties as witnessed on I.I Chundrigar and Clifton. Despite heavy rainfall, they said, situation in 99 per cent city areas remained normal, adding Lyari and areas around Lyari river, which used to be affected badly in the past remained normal on Friday.
Later, the Sindh Governor, along with City Nazim Karachi Mustafa Kamal, visited Defence, Sharea Faisal, Civil Aviation area, Rashid Minhas Road, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Abul Hasan Asfhani Road, Sohrab Goth, Hassan Square, Liaquatabad, Federal B Area, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad and various other areas.
During his four-hour long visit to city areas, the governor issued directives to the authorities and stressed them to take measures for draining out rainwater, restoration of electricity and improving traffic flow.
He told newsmen after the visit that situation in all city areas would normalize within six to 12 hours as pumps had started draining out water o I I Chundrigar road while efforts had been made to resolve traffic and electricity problems on permanent basis.Principle Secretary to Governor Salim Khan, DCO Karachi Fazlur Rahman, MD KWSB Brig Iftikhar Haider, DIG (Operations) Mushtaq Shah, DIG Traffic Falak Khurshid and other officials were also present.
Earlier on Thursday, the City Nazim paid night-long visit to various areas to review the city situation after rains.
The nazim visited particularly those areas where rainwater was accumulated.
During his visit to Hasan Square Flyover, Mustafa Kamal issued directive to Crisis Management Cell in charge Masood Alam for erection of safety barriers around the construction site to protect people from any accident. The nazim directed the KWSB MD to immediately call 50 sweepers to drain out rainwater on University Road, particularly at old Sabzi Mandi to Jail Chowrangi.
He also visited Civil Line Area and ordered immediate deployment of rescue teams to get the blocked drain cleared.
Taking notice of the drain blockade, he asked the XEN to report at his office on Friday morning.
He directed EDO Health and crisis management in charge to deploy two groups of 20 workers each for further improving the drainage system. He also visited Civil Line Pumping Station.
On the occasion, Chief Fire Officer Kazim Ali was directed to immediately install dewatering pump and arrange purchase of new generator.
Later, Mustafa Kamal visited Teen Talwar, Bath Island, Nahr-i-Khayyam and KPT underpass where rainwater was accumulated. He remained there along with the entire team for three hours and supervised the draining out of water at main road and adjoining streets of Bath Island. He also visited I.I. Chundrigar Road, Zaibunnisa Street, Abdullah Haroon Road, Empress Market and Sharea Faisal.
During his eight-hour-long visit, he was accompanied by DCO Fazlur Rehman, KWSB Managing Director Brig Iftekhar Haider, EDO (Health) Dr Khalid Shaikh and Crisis Management Cell in charge Masood Alam.
Meanwhile, the nazim chaired a meeting in which malaria supervisors were especially invited. He directed the city government staff to leave no stone unturned in draining out rainwater accumulated on roads and streets.
He told the meeting that 13 groups, comprising health department staff, had been constituted for carrying out fumigation drive and pumping out rainwater, while five more teams would be formed in the next few days. Every town would have a group in charge, who would get the work done under his supervision, he added.
The nazim said fumigation department would work round-the-clock to eliminate mosquitoes and flies which swarmed the city after recent monsoon rains. He gave strict directives that fumigation spray would also continue in night hours. The number of staff would be increased for conducting fumigation in densely populated areas and these staff would get incentives and overtime besides salary, he said, adding that high quality germicides would be used for spraying.
He said the city government would fully utilise its manpower to drain out rainwater accumulated on various roads and localities while storm-water cleaning work would continue throughout the year.—APP/PPI