Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar on Thursday admitted the dismal condition of the city after rain but placed the entire blame on the Sindh government for the overflowing roads.
Akhtar said that though they had the rain forecast, the city’s disposal system is unable to cope with such heavy showers. He said that several water drains are filled with waste though they are not made for the purpose of garbage disposal.
He said that the solid waste management and water board departments are part of the Sindh government, and the government should ensure that the drainage systems are not used for garbage disposal.
“Karachi needs a new sewerage system; the present system has been completely destroyed,” Akhtar said.
The mayor said that he has raised these concerns with the Sindh and federal government but is yet to receive any response.
“We have absolutely no hope from Singh government,” he said.
Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro, however, claimed that the local authorities carried out work on widening the drains last year to tackle the post-rain situation. He said that various structures and even houses were removed from above these drains to ensure swift drainage of water.
At least 11 people were killed as the metropolis was battered with heavy rainfall on Thursday after initial light showers a day before.
Heavy rainfall started late Wednesday night, resulting in disruption of power supply to many areas of the city.
Reports of rainfall were received from Saddar, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Airport, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Malir and other areas. The highest amount of rainfall was recorded at 130.3mm in Nazimabad, followed by North Karachi at 97.5mm.
