KARACHI: Rainfall resumed in Karachi on Friday afternoon with heavy rainfall in certain areas and some areas receiving moderate rainfall.
According to reports, areas including Airport, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Malir, Sohrab Goth, Saddar, and Lyari were reported to have received heavy downpour and more rainfall in the city has also been forecasted during the next 24-hours.
According to Pakistan Rangers Sindh, the paramilitary force expressed regret over the loss of precious lives and monetary losses as a result of the heavy showers in the city. “Pakistan Army soldiers and rescue teams are completely equipped to deal with any unforeseen situation,” said the Rangers.
The paramilitary force has advised the citizens to call or message on the Rangers Helpline which is ‘1101’, or leave a WhatsApp message on ‘0316-2369996’ in case of any emergency or assistance required. Meanwhile, the local administration along with assistance from the Army continued dewatering the areas which had been inundated by rainfall on Thursday.
Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar said that the city’s administration does not have adequate resources to deal with the current situation. “We are doing what is humanly possible,” said the mayor and added that the situation would have been controlled if he had the resources available.
He said that trenches dug up to dispose of offals of sacrificial animals have filled up with water and efforts are underway to drain the ditches. “No, we cannot handle it as there are not enough resources,” he said when asked if the situation can be handled if it rains here on Saturday.
On the direction of Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah, ministers Nasir Shah, Jam Khan Shoro, Mohammed Ali Malkani, Mukesh Chawla, Imdad Pitafi and Fayaz Butt were out on the streets reviewing the progress of cleaning and dewatering of the city.
The city authorities and teams of Pakistan Army and Rangers remained busy dewatering the inundated areas of the metropolis as the heavy downpour lashed the city on Thursday, leaving at least 13 dead, including four children.