Sindh CM Criticizes Karachi Residents’ Disregard for Holiday

Following severe rainstorms in Karachi, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed his disapproval of residents who disregarded the government’s directive to remain indoors on the declared public holiday.

His remarks followed another bout of rainfall in Karachi, which is already struggling with widespread power failures and water accumulation due to urban flooding. Regrettably, at least a dozen individuals have died in the city due to incidents linked to the heavy rains over the past day.

The Chief Minister visited the Nursery nullah to assess the situation post-rainfall. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab provided a briefing on the ongoing efforts of drain cleaning and water removal.

CM’s Comments to the Media

Speaking with the media, CM Murad stressed the importance of public responsibility during intense rainfall events.

“The government announced a public holiday to encourage citizens to stay at home, yet many people chose to go out,” he stated, clearly concerned.

“Is this what a public holiday looks like?” the Chief Minister questioned, pointing to the substantial traffic on the roads.

He stated that government and municipal personnel are on the ground, working to remove standing water.

“When it rains, water will naturally gather, but we are working to ensure swift drainage once the rain subsides,” he clarified.

While acknowledging potential shortcomings, he emphasized the government’s active presence and engagement. “Everyone needs to take responsibility,” CM Murad stated, adding that public cooperation with government decisions is essential.

CM Murad also criticized the media for not encouraging citizens to stay in their offices and schools until roads were cleared. He claimed that media outlets were more focused on recording flooded streets rather than conveying official guidance.

He mentioned that Karachi had recorded more than 200 millimetres of rainfall in just half a day yesterday.

He argued that road infrastructure cannot be designed to handle 100mm of rainfall each hour, especially in a city that typically receives only 2-3mm of rain, and 30mm during heavy rainfall.

The Chief Minister reported that 11 out of 14 underpasses in the city had been cleared, with efforts continuing to clear the remainder.

Highlighting the consequences of climate change, the Chief Minister noted the significant loss of life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan due to recent rains, where 400 deaths occurred the prior week.

Mayor’s Perspective

The Karachi Mayor stated that while key roads were mostly cleared, work continues in several areas affected by waterlogging.

He admitted flaws in the drainage infrastructure but highlighted the necessity for lasting solutions. “Fundamental actions are required to increase drainage capacity, but this requires land and encounters opposition from inhabitants, making the task challenging,” the mayor explained.

“Traffic is moving, but is slower where water remains on the roadsides. On the whole, the situation is better than it was earlier today,” he added.

Weather Forecast

The Meteorological Office reports that strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal continue to affect the country, especially southern regions.

Under these conditions, widespread rain-wind/thundershowers (with periods of very heavy rainfall) are expected in numerous Sindh districts, including Karachi, from August 19-22, with intermittent breaks.

This weather pattern is also anticipated in various locations, and scattered areas in Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, and Jacobabad.

The PMD warned that intense rainfall might trigger urban flooding in vulnerable locations across Sindh, including Karachi.