Islamabad: Karachi experienced significant disruptions due to heavy rainfall, and this pattern will persist until the city’s natural drainage systems are restored, warned Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor on Wednesday.

Shakoor attributed the flooding to the construction of commercial and residential buildings over natural waterways, locally known as Nullahs. He identified numerous affected areas, including PECHS, Nursery, Baloch Colony, Green Town, Rafai Aam Society, M A Jinnah Road, Preedy, Nazimabad, and Safoora. Former natural lakes have also been encroached upon, exacerbating the issue. Shakoor suggested referring to pre-partition maps archived by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to identify these obstructed waterways. He emphasized that without clearing these blocked channels or implementing alternative drainage solutions, Karachi will continue to face annual flooding.

The recent rainfall, according to Shakoor, demonstrates the administration’s failure to address past errors. He contrasted Karachi’s situation with London, which receives significantly more rainfall annually without experiencing similar flooding. He questioned why a few hours of rain lead to urban inundation in Karachi and criticized the reactive approach of declaring rain emergencies without proactive preventative measures.

Shakoor demanded the cancellation of housing projects built over natural waterways and lakes, offering affected residents alternative plots as compensation. He also called for the removal of structures, including government edifices, along M A Jinnah Road, Burns Road, and surrounding areas. Furthermore, he urged the development of a comprehensive drainage system overhaul for the city.

Finally, Shakoor advocated for rainwater harvesting and artificial wells to replenish Karachi’s declining water table, suggesting that storing rainwater during monsoons could significantly benefit the city during dry periods.