KARACHI – With the Pakistan Meteorological Department predicting 20–30% above-normal rainfall in Karachi and interior Sindh, the city remains vulnerable to urban flooding due to the delayed cleaning of its storm water drains—an issue compounded by the Sindh government’s slow release of funds.
Despite repeated warnings and past flood disasters, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has yet to receive the necessary funds for cleaning its 586 drains, including 41 major nullahs. Sources told The Express Tribune that the KMC has requested Rs650 million for the 2024 monsoon season, but historically only Rs400–450 million is released—and often after rains begin.
KMC’s Senior Director of Municipal Services, Abdul Hannan, confirmed that a funding request had been submitted but declined to reveal the amount. Without full funding and contract issuance, large-scale drain cleaning cannot proceed. Currently, only limited maintenance work has begun under KMC’s annual contract.
Deputy Director of the Met Department, Anjum Nazir Saigham, confirmed high flood risks and urged authorities to act swiftly. Historical data underscores the urgency—Karachi witnessed 584mm of rain in July 2022 alone, and a record 230mm in a single day in August 2020, which paralyzed the city.
A KMC report highlights 19 critical flood-prone areas, including Shahrah-e-Faisal, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Civic Centre, and parts of Gulistan-e-Johar and Liaquatabad. Dozens of other vulnerable localities across the city remain at risk.
Urban planner Dr. Syed Nawaz Al-Huda stressed that Karachi needs structural reforms. He called for daily waste removal, end to drain dumping, and separation of sewer lines from storm drains. “Storm water should clear within 30 minutes—Karachi takes three to four hours due to poor planning,” he noted.
Without immediate action, Karachi could once again find itself submerged and unprepared as monsoon rains arrive.
Story by Syed Ashraf Ali
