Storm water drains yet to be cleared of encroachments

Karachi
Given the Met office’s forecast of heavy rainfall in the city till Thursday, encroachments - considered the foremost impediment in smooth drainage of rainwater - were yet to be cleared off from storm water drains, although the Sindh chief minister had over a week ago ordered their removal within 15 days, it emerged on Tuesday.
Chief Secretary Siddique Memon while informing the CM of the fresh forecast had requested all concerned departments to take necessary measures considering the rains could cause flash floods in the city.
“We are left with only two options...either to remove public settlements from drains or let the city be flooded,” the CM had strongly stated during a press conference held on July 18. The CM had during the briefing directed civic agencies to remove illegal settlements along the drains to avert accidents during the expected torrential rains.
Directives to conduct a survey of the number of settlements which had emerged over the drains was yet to be conducted by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Administrator Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui; the CM had also ordered to suggest measures for the removal of encroachments.
However, an official of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) while speaking to The News, on condition of anonymity stated that it was impossible to remove encroachments during rainfall as there were chances of a serious law and order situation to erupt. The resolve to clear the drains of encroachments was also reiterated by the local government minister, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, during a press conference held last week.