The authorities remained inactive to undertake any relief operations to help people during the rain emergency situation across the metropolis. However, the CoAS, General, Qamar Javed Bajwa, on the request of city administration, directed Army, which Rangers aided to start rescue services to regulate vehicles' traffic, and pumped out rainwater flew into tail-end parts of the city, besides beefing up the security.
"The army has provided water extraction pumps to the city administration," ISPR said. Cracks in Thando Dam from the continuing rains also caused water to spill over into scheme 33 especially Sadi Town area, Superhighway and nearby localities, where Army and Rangers personnel extended their services to cope with the flooding and help the public. Rains inflicted a virtual collapse on the city's rundown drainage system that chocked immediately to overflow after the first spells inundating roads and streets, making pedestrians hobble while slowing down vehicles movement nearly everywhere. Cars, trucks and other vehicles remained stranded in rainwater on main roads particularly on Superhighway and outskirts of the city.
Markets were closed especially across the old city areas as traders reckon million of rupees losses from rainwater spilled over into shops damaging goods. "A huge export bound consignments could not move from industrials units to seaports due to roads flooding," Chairman, Pakistan Apparel Forum, Muhammad Javed Bilwani said.
Imported consignments from seaports also could not be transported to the different parts of the country. "No operation yet has been started by the authorities to pump out rainwater from markets, inflicting millions of rupees financial loss to the traders," Chairman, All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, Muhammad Atiq Mir said.
Traders said that the grains and medicines supplies to the different parts of the metropolis remained suspended during and after rains. The K-Electric claimed the rain tripped 80 feeders whereas some 161 the independent sources confirmed to Business Recorder. Major electric power breakdown struck areas including Gulistan-e-Johar, Nazimabad, F.B. Area, North Karachi and parts of the Old City. Bad weather also disturbed domestic and international flights from Jinnah International Airport - Karachi. Rains caused cancellation to eight flights while delay to some four until filing this report.
Meanwhile, PIA spokesman said that PK536 Karachi-Sukkur and PK589 Bahawalpur-Karachi, PK501 Karachi- Turbat and PK503 karachi-Gawadar were cancelled and PK588 Karachi-Bahwalpur was diverted to Multan while PK582 Karachi-Sukkur was delayed by 1hr, PK213 Karachi-Dubai 1.30hr, PK309 1.30hr, PK366 Karachi- Islamabad 1.30hr, PK390 Karachi-Sukkur 1.35hr, PK585 Karachi-DG Khan 1hr, PK582 Karachi-RY Khan 30min, PK283 Peshawar-Dubai 1.40min, PK212 Dubai-Islamabad 1.20hr, PK701 Islamabad- Manchester 45min, and PK211 Dubai-Islamabad was delayed by 50min.
Trains departures and arrivals faced a delay of up to three hours as tracks remained inundated, Railways Divisional Commercial Officer, Ishaq Baloch said. The city descended into desertion soon after rains flooded the roads. Victims: Sajid at Orangi Town, Muhammad at Kalakot, unknown at Baldia 24 Market area, Haris and Mansoor at Garden area were electrocuted while seven others, who were not identified lost their lives at Bihar Colony, Lyari, Orangi Town, Baldia Bakra Peeri and Gulshan-e-Maymar in other rains related incidents.
In the next 24 hours: More rains with thunderstorm and gusty winds have been forecast for the city. Scattered rainfall is likely in other parts of Sindh, according to the Met. As per area, a maximum rain was recorded in North Karachi as 130 mm, Masroor 125 mm, Nazimabad 124 mm, Saddar 64 mm, MOS 44, mm Airport P 42 mm, University Road, Gulshan e Hadid 26 mm, each, Faisal Base 23 mm and Landhi 20 mm.
While, scattered rain/thunderstorm with strong winds is expected in Kalat, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, D.G.Khan and Makran Divisions. Isolated falls are likely in Hazara, Peshawar, Kohat, Malakand, Sargodha, D.I Khan, Zhob, Quetta and Rawalpindi Divisions, besides Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir in the next 24 hours.
Other parts of Sindh, Tandojam received 60 mm, Hyderabad 52 mm, Sukrand 46 mm, Thatta 44 mm, Mirpurkhas and Chachro 32 mm, each, Daheli 26 mm, Nagarparker 22 mm, Diplo 12 mm, Shaheed Benazirabad 11 mm, Moenjodaro 9 mm, Kaloi and Islamkot 5 mm, each, Mithi, Badin, Padidan and Dadu 2 mm, each, and Chhor and Sukkur 1 mm, each.
In Punjab: Khanpur 46 mm, Multan 41 mm, Jhang 38 mm, Sargodha (City 37 mm, PAF 18 mm), Rahimyar Khan 28 mm, Kotaddu 27 mm, Bahawalnager 19 mm, Okara 18 mm, Shorkot 15 mm, Bahawalpur (Airprtr 11 mm, City 7 mm), Mangla and T.T. Singh 8 mm, each, D.G.Khan 7 mm, Jhelum 6 mm, Noorpurthal 5 mm, Sahiwal and Layyah 4 mm, each, Gujranwala 3 mm, Faisalabad, Kamra, Joharabad, Gujrat and Murree 1 mm, each. In Khyber Pukhtunkhwa: Malamjabba 6 mm, Parachinar 3 mm. Kashmir: Rawalakot 2 mm, Kotli 1 mm. Balochistan: Lasbella 3 mm and Quetta 2 mm over the past 24 hours.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017