Karachi
Over 250 billboards have been taken down after, amidst predictions of rainfall in the city, City Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui had directed his subordinates to take immediate action to remove damaged and potentially dangerous billboards over the Eid holidays.
More than 250 illegal and substandard hoardings were removed from Saddar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, North Nazimabad and other areas of the city while thousands of banners and posters were also taken down that were affecting the ethos of the city, a spokesperson said.
He informed that hoardings from Karsaz Road were removed and the action would intensify after Eid holidays.
Siddiqui directed the Local Tax Department to take immediate steps to remove fragile billboards to avoid untoward incidents during monsoon rains.
He urged that the already existing guidelines for billboards should be implemented which call for hoardings and panaflexes to be installed in a manner that neither obstructs traffic flow.
Previously, incidents of casualties and injuries have taken place due to dilapidated billboards, therefore, strict inspection would be ensured. The commissioner has also directed the relevant departments and companies to reexamine the hoardings and take down dangerous hoardings, otherwise advertisers would be held responsible for any loss.
Rain emergency declared
In view of the expected monsoon rainfall, the District Municipal Corporation (DMC) South has declared rain emergency as per an announcement by DMC South Administrator Mir Farooq Langove.
He informed that a round-the-clock emergency control room was established at the DMC South office located at its central office near Haqqani Chowk on Rafiqui Shaheed Road. Its phone numbers are 99211390 and 99211429.
Langove directed the dewatering pumps and other machinery be kept in working order and effective measures be also taken for the prompt removal of any fallen trees or sign boards etc.
Met predicts cloudy
weather today
The Metrological department (Met) forecast partly cloudy weather in Karachi during the next 24 hours with chances of rain drizzle.
A Met official said here on Tuesday the maximum temperature is expected to range between 34 to 36 degrees in the metropolis. He further informed that the maximum temperature recorded in the city on Tuesday was 36.2.