KARACHI, Aug 7: City Nazim Naimatullah Khan has said that all rain emergency centres established in the city will remain functioning round-the-clock and immediate action will be taken on public complaints.
Talking to newsmen at his office, Naimatullah Khan said that the officials of police, KESC, PTCL, SSGC, Civil Defence, Fire Brigade and other civic agencies would be available at the Central Emergency Centre, Civic Centre. He said that the officials could be contacted at telephone number 134.
The nazim maintained that efforts were being made to improve performance of rain emergency centres, which had been established to assist people during expected rains and flood. He further said that the officials had been directed to make fool-proof arrangements for the rescue of people in exigency.
He said that the works and services department of city government had been asked to provide equipment and machinery at all emergency centres for removal of water from roads during rains.
"Traffic police have also been asked to devise an alternate plan for maintaining smooth traffic arrangements and avoid traffic jams at roundabouts in the city as during rains, signals became out of order and create problems both for police and people," he added.
Naimatullah Khan said that directives had been issued for continuous monitoring of water level in Malir and Lyari rivers and giving warnings to people at river banks during emergency. He said that the departments concerned were also asked to place covers on open manholes and remove broken electricity wires and trees from roads and footpaths.
He disclosed that the city government in collaboration with Pakistan Navy had established medical centres at Hawkesbay. The navy had also constituted 11 teams, equipped with boats, life-jackets, for rescue of people, he said.
Meanwhile, the city government announced that people could contact its rain emergency centres established in various city areas on following telephone numbers:
The rain emergency centre at Civic Centre can be contacted at 134, 9230060-2 and 9230071; the camp office of works and services department near DCET on 9231365; KMC workshop on 9215654; DDO office Hino Chowrangi on 5389966 and 9230668. -PPI