Army called in Karachi to help deal with urban flooding

ISLAMABAD: Army troops have been called in Karachi to assist civil administration for managing Urban Flooding Situation in the port city, the Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement on Thursday.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had on Wednesday directed the military to assist the administration in cleaning up the city after a meeting with Sindh Governor Imran who briefed him in detail about the situation created in the wake of recent torrential rains in Karachi.

Speaking in the meeting with the governor, PM Imran had said PTI-led federal government would not abandon the people of Karachi at a time when the city is grappling with the dual challenges of coronavirus and the aftermath of the recent heavy rains.

The premier said the Centre would take all possible measures for the resolution of the Karachiites' hardships. Science and technology minister Fawad Chaudhry was also present during the talks.

'A tragedy'

A day prior, the Sindh High Court (SHC) had summoned officials from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and Mayor's Office and expressed its indignation over negligence following the heavy rains in the city that caused drains to overflow and loss of lives and property.

The SHC was hearing a petition related to the drain and sewerage system of the city’s Central district, where Justice Khadim Hussain Shaikh questioned the authorities' performance in the city.

In his remarks, the judge said the entire city became inundated during rains due to debris across the metropolis clogging the drains.

"It is a tragedy that no one has the realisation of [the stranded water problem]. Karachi drowned [during the torrential rainstorms] due to illegal encroachments and lack of proper garbage disposal," said the judge.

"Every institution blames the other one when it comes to taking responsibility,” he added.

“Did anyone see that the vehicles in Karachi were completely flooded? And the people could not take their children out of their homes. During the rains people’s homes got destroyed," Justice Shaikh said.

"Would any of you go into the dirty water?”