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KARACHI: At least one person died on Thursday after heavy rain lashed Karachi, prompting authorities to declare an emergency.
Karachites in various areas witnessed light showers in the morning, with most localities reporting torrential rainfall shortly after 2pm.
A PMD official said a hailstorm was reported from Mauripur area of the metropolis.
In the morning, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) recorded rainfall in various areas, including Quaidabad, Malir and surrounding areas, as well as PAF Faisal Base and Jinnah Terminal, earlier this morning.
Light rain has also been recorded in Gulshan-i-Maymar and surrounding areas, with spells of heavy rain reported in Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Saddar, Clifton, Garden and Keamari.
According to rainfall figures issued by the PMD as of 11am, Bahria Town received the highest amount of rain (20.5 millimetres).
This was followed by Surjani Town (12.6mm), University Road (8.2mm), Gulshan-i-Maymar (7.2mm), Jinnah Terminal (6.2mm), Keamari (6mm), Old Area Airport (5.6mm), DHA Phase II (5mm), Mauripur (3mm), Shahrah-i-Faisal (0.4mm), and Gulshan-i-Hadeed (traces).
Weather radar imagery from around 10am showed a heavy downpour over the northern parts of the city, along with isolated hail.
In a weather advisory for Karachi Division, the PMD forecast cloudy weather with “intermittent rain/wind-thunderstorm with few moderate to isolated heavy falls” for today.
The maximum temperature was likely to remain between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels ranging between 60-83 per cent during the day.
On Friday, Karachi Division is expected to see partly cloudy weather with “chances of light rain/drizzle”, with mostly sunny skies forecasted on Saturday, when mercury can hit 30-32°C during the day.
According to a statement issued by his office, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab directed the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) staff to remain alert.
“Besides the deployed staff, rapid response teams have also been formed. If further needed, staff will be dispatched to the relevant locations,” the mayor was quoted as saying.
A statement issued by the KMC spokesperson said the authority’s staff would remain stationed at eight nullahs and 12 choking points to monitor the situation.
A K-Electric spokesperson, in a statement, said: “As a safety measure, power supply may be temporarily suspended in some areas; it is restored after rain subsides and clearance from field teams [has been received].”
The KE official advised citizens to maintain a safe distance from TV/internet cables, broken wires and electricity installations.
A rain emergency has been declared in Karachi in view of the rain situation.
Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi said the city administration has activated measures to deal with the rainfall, adding that citizens could contact the rescue helpline at 1299 for any complaints or assistance.
The staff of relevant institutions has been deployed under the supervision of assistant commissioners, he added.
He said that the staff of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) and the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB), town administrations, and necessary machinery and vehicles were active, and work to drain accumulated water from the roads was underway.
“They will perform relief work and grievance redressal duties, including helping in water drainage traffic problems,” he said.
To deal with the rainfall, all deputy commissioners have been directed to remain alert, and concerned officers to stay in the field.
In addition, rain emergency help desks and camps have been established in various districts and subdivisions at the instructions of the commissioner.
In District East, help desks had been established at Nipa Chowrangi, National Stadium, Exhibition Chowrangi, Samama Chowk, Madras Chowk, Safoora Chowrangi and Sohrab Goth.
In District South, help desks had been established at MA Jinnah Road, Shaheen Complex Chowk, KMT Main Office, Town Administration Lyari Office, Chakiwara and other areas.
In District Keamari, they were placed in Baldia Town Office, the Keamari DC’s office, Truck Stand Mauripur and Gulberg Interchange Site.
In District Central, water pumps had been deployed at Ayesha Manzil and other places in the Gulberg sub-division, while arrangements were being made for more.
The Sindh government appealed to citizens to exercise caution during rainy weather.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that, in view of the rains, advance arrangements have been made and the leaves of essential staff have been cancelled.
Additional de-watering pumps have been installed for the timely drainage of rainwater from low-lying areas, he said, while drainage chokepoints at various locations in the city have already been identified. Staff have been deployed to monitor these chokepoints, he added.
“The officers of the relevant provincial government institutions and local government institutions have been instructed to remain in the field on high alert,” he added.
Memon asked citizens to follow precautionary measures and contact the relevant institutions immediately in case of an emergency.
Separately, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) established rain emergency centres in all its regional offices including in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Larkana, adding they would remain in place till April 8.
According to a handout issued by the Sindh information ministry, Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said SBCA officers will remain in the field and ensure the monitoring of dilapidated buildings.
In the statement, SCBA Director General Muzamil Hussain Halepoto urged residents to vacate weak and old buildings, and to avoid going near under-construction structures.
Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Javed Alam Odho also directed police control rooms to remain on high alert, adding that full contact should be maintained with rescue agencies to deal with emergency situations.
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