Rescue efforts continue in rain-hit cities of Sindh including Karachi

Army has established Flood Emergency Control Centre in Karachi for assisting flood victims.

RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – After the worst rains in the history of Sindh province, Pakistan Army relief and rescue efforts were continued in flood hit areas of Karachi and Hyderabad.

Torrential rains and flash floods continued to lash Pakistan s commercial capital Karachi, killing dozens of people and injuring several over the past three days.

The fresh rain spell submerged the city s major thoroughfares and different areas including Defence, Korangi crossing, Nazimabad, forcing the administration to call in the army and paramilitary Rangers to rescue the stranded people in several localities.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Army has established Flood Emergency Control Centre in Karachi for assisting flood victims. Medical camps have also been established at district Centre Gulberg, Liaqatabad and New Karachi for providing necessary medical care.

It said dewatering of more than 36 sites in Karachi has been completed and meal for over 10000 people distributed among flood victims in various areas. Pakistan Army Engineer boats are busy in shifting people to safer places.

It further said enhancement of bund along M9 near Northern bypass to avoid flooding of M9 completed by Army Engineers.

Army engineers also constructed bund at KE Grid Station, Saadi Town and Malir Cantt to save flood affectees from water flow. Army troops also filled breach of Malir Nadi near Quaidabad.

Pakistan Navy Emergency Response teams along with Pakistan Navy Divers recovered two dead bodies from Shah Faisal Town and Korangi crossing area.

The massive downpour struck Karachi on Tuesday night, which lasted next 14 hours with short intervals.

At least 14 people were killed mostly by electric current and drowning in different parts of the city. Heavy rains flanked by gusty winds also triggered landslides and downed trees and utility poles in many areas.

Several feeders of K-Electric also got tripped after which different areas including Shah Faisal Colony, Green Town, Shamsi Society, Quaidabad, Gulshan-e-Boner, Gulshan-e-Hadeed and Gulshan-e-Maymar are facing electricity loadshedding.

Hundreds of vehicles were seen stuck in the middle of the submerged roads as people waded through knee-deep rainwater to reach their destinations.

The heavy rain has also affected the internet and mobile phone services in Karachi, creating problems for locals in contacting with their loved ones.

Sindh CM declares public holiday on Aug 28 following heavy rains

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has declared August 28 (Friday) a public holiday due to heavy rains across the province.

The Sindh Chief Minister said in a statement that all government, semi-government and private institutions across the province would remain closed on Friday. However, the offices of essential service institutions, municipalities, health, water board, PDMA and revenue will remain open.

Talking about the weather situation, the Sindh Chief Minister said that the rains would continue intermittently till Friday evening. He said the government is in contact with the Army, Navy and NDMA. He warned that settlements and population along the nullahs are at risk of flooding.

Murad Ali Shah said that rain water will be drained once the downpour stops because if it rains again, it will cause even more trouble. He appealed to the citizens not to leave their homes.

PM Imran talks to CM Sindh, offers support to get out of rain disaster

Prime Minister Imran Khan had contacted Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on telephone and discussed post-rain situation in Sindh, especially in Karachi and offered support to get out of rain disaster.

Prime Minister said that the federal government would provide every possible support to Sindh government in relief activities in the rain-hit areas.

PM Imran assured Murad Ali Shah of the Center and its institutions’ full support to provide relief activities to the people affected by the torrential rains in the province.

The Prime Minister said whatever support the Sindh Government would demand, the Center would provide on emergency basis.

Rainfall recorded in Karachi

Faisal Base 230mm, Kemari 12.5 mm, Surjani Town 195mm, Kemari 195, North Karachi 167mm, Jinnah Terminal 104

On the other hand, in Hyderabad, relief and medical camp has been established at Latifabad and food was provided to the affected population.

In Dadu, Army troops have been forwardly placed at Dadu for any eventuality and spillover at Nai gaj Dam.

The banks of purain drain in Tehsil Jhudo district Mirpur Khas has been damaged due to heavy rain. Army troops and civil administration filled the breach with combined efforts.