Ismail urges Murad to prepare for risk of more heavy monsoon rains

KARACHI: Ahead of a fresh monsoon spell, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail has written a letter to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, urging all stakeholders to work jointly in a bid to avert last year’s flooding during torrential rains in Karachi.

In the letter dated June 16, the governor shared how the record-breaking rains led to fatalities and suggested that Murad being the executive head of the province mobilise all concerned institutions.

“Saving the lives of the citizens is among the top priority of the government,” he said.

Ismail said that cleaning of drains and removal of encroachment alongside them on the Supreme Court’s order will help in taking concrete measures to avert a similar crisis.

“K-Electric, HESCO [Hyderabad Electric Supply Company], and SEPCO [Sukkur Electric Power Company] have been directed to take necessary measures ahead of monsoon spell in Karachi and avoid load shedding during the rain,” he said.

The governor further shared that cantonment boards have also been directed to deal with rain-related issues. “It is time for all stakeholders to work jointly,” he said while assuring complete support from the federal government in this regard.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted that Karachi is likely to receive heavier than usual rains this season expected to begin in the last week of June.

The first spell is expected between June 27 and 30, the Met Office predicted.

The three-month season from July to September will witness an unexpected increase in rainfall in the southern and northern Punjab and Sindh, said the Met Office. The likely rainfall is 140.8 mm, according to its weather report.

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