CM Murad declares rain emergency in Sindh

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah declared rain emergency across Sindh on Tuesday, according to which the provincial government has cancelled government employees’ leaves and alerted the PDMA and the Relief Commissioner to start rehabilitation work across the province.

The development came after rains continued to bash the Karachi and other cities of Sindh on Tuesday.

The chief minister held a meeting with local government department which was attended by Minister Local Government Nasir Shah, Law Advisor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah new local government secretary Iftikhar Shahalwani and other concerned.

The meeting was told that heavy rains have lashed most of the districts, including Karachi, therefore day-to-day life has been affected.

The chief minister, keeping in view the gravity of the situation,declared rain emergency all over Sindh. He directed chief secretary to issue a notification for the purpose and cancel leaves of all the government employees and direct them to report their respective departments.

He directed Relief Commissioners, provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to start relief work immediately and start survey of the losses once the on- going spell is over. “We will not leave our people alone and serve them to the best of our abilities,” he said.

Visit: The chief Minister just after the meeting left for the visit of the city to assess the situation.

He started his visit from Dr Ziauddin Road, Saddar Downtown, Pakistan Chowk, Shahtah-e-Faisal, Malir-15, Hassan Square and District Central.

At newly constructed People’s Square people from neighbourhood had gathered and enjoyed a picnic like atmosphere there. The children met with the chief minister and the families thanked him to establishing a beautiful spot for public recreation,

The approaching roads, such Ziauddin Road, Aiean-e-Saddar, Arts Council Road we’re inundated with rain water. The CM in his presence installed vehicle- mounted dewatering machines to dispose of water. At Shahrah-e-Faisal near Star Gate water had accumulated, therefore vehicle-mounted dewatering machines were installed by water board and KMC to dispose of water.

The areas which were cleared the water include major portions of Shahrah-e-Faisal, Qayoomsbad Chowrangi, Malir-15 area, Hassan Square upto the area of Liaquatabad, Board office and upto KDA Chorangi.
In district Central at KDA chowrangi rain water had accumulated due to Green Line projects infrastructure established on the nallas. The water was being sucked out through suction machines.

The new commissioner Karachi Sohail Rajput just after assuming charge joined the CM at KDA Chowrangi. The chief minister gave him necessary instruction for disposal of rain water from the low lying areas of the city.

The chief minister earlier visited Saifee Hospital where water had been cleared. He appreciated the work done by local government in draining water swiftly.

Murad Ali Shah visited the city’s  Water Pump area and inspected the places where roads were cleared through dewatering machines.