Karachi, the holder of many titles, such as the,’ City of lights’ ‘A City that never sleeps’, and ‘A business hub that generates 70 % of the country’s total revenue ‘is crying like an orphan today and there is no one in sight to come to it’s rescue and wipe the tears of the hapless residents of this city!
The paramount question in everyone ‘s mind is : where sre the officials, our elected representatives, when we need them most Why hesitant to devolving power Why not empower the masses
After all it is niether the first time nor the only time that such a calamity has hit this city. History is now being repeated since decades that heavy rains occur and the people of Karachi have to suffer the consequences, ranging from power outages to even gass load shedding without informing and also network failure to urban flooding. The crisis that whole of Karachi is facing is niether area specific nor class specific because from DHA to Nazimabad to Surjani Town, any area that you name, posh or otherwise, is suffering equally. In the face of flooding on such major highways as Shahrah e Faisal, one shudders to think what would be the condition of the underpasses, Clifton and other areas near the sea To commute from Clifton to Shaheed e Millat road took two hours after a 30 / 40 minutes rain.This happened when it has been forecasted since 28th of March..no arrangements made beforehand..Karachi Jinnah International Airport also flooded and passengers had tough time.
It is still premature to estimate damage and losses incurred consequently. Our househelp not showing but sending pictures and videos of damages occurred in their homes and areas. No road is walkable.
The reality of the day is that few cars got literally submerged on Sharah e Faisal itself, let alone other less developed areas. Few houses in DHA and other areas partially flooded. It is mind boggling to imagine how school children would have returned home after heavy rain Stories about of how working women waited for hours for vans and were then forced to trudge in deep waters because no one came to their rescue and no machinery came into operation to facilitate the citizens in the face of such an adverse calamity. Horror stories abound.
Rains took six lives including a child. Now question is who is to be held accountable for the loss of lives. Some are even calling it Murder, not simple deaths.
The dead could not be burried because funerals could not take place but delayed.
Has anyone thought about those voiceless people who live in shanty houses in the slums or worse still, sleep out in the open Where must they be and what must be their condition
As a citizen, may I most respectfully enquire about the whereabouts of the Mayor of the city Where are the authorities who collect taxes Where are they and what are they doing
Despite similar experiences in previous years and despite advance warnings regarding impeding heavy rainfall , why were the drainage systems not fixed beforehand A multitudes of questions inundate ones mind. In view of similar occurrences in the past, why have no permanent corrective measures been taken till date
Why are expenditure budgets allocated to non- development projects at the cost of vital necessities Why do we have a tradition of always lamenting after something has happened
Why is our administration not able to take precautionary measures in advance of such a disasterous happening
While it is still early days and more horror stories will come to light as days pass, but already one is hearing of such unfortunate incidences and irresponsible behaviour, wherein bus driver and conductor forced students to get down the bus in heavy rain about 2 pm when clouds are dark grey to predict even more rain.
As free citizens of a democratic state, we feel that it is our right to raise voice against such selfish attitudes. There was utter chaos everywhere when within a short span of an hour the city experienced unprecedented rainfall. Certainly it will be recorded as one of the toughest days for the city of Karachi and its inhabitants. No power, hence dead phone batteries, no connection, only helplessness and…..”Water, Water, everywhere ” ( in the words of Samuel Taylor Coleridge )!
It is definitely a matter of pride that the citizens of Karachi rose to the occasion with empathy and care, men and boys stepped out to provide help to others.
Yet, the burning question still remains: whose responsibility was it to take charge of the situation and extend help and support to the people of the city who pay highest taxes Why is there no accountability It is known to me that few years ago a foreign educated woman returned to homeland and expressed the desire to serve based on her qualification in the field of disaster management. However when she applied for a job in the relevant department she was denied as nothing was planned with reference to disaster management. Unfortunately, these are the issues that cannot be forgotten and overlooked anymore.
This time around, we must all wake-up and stand-up and ask for change.The matter must be addressed NOW ! This is not my call alone, but the colletive call of the citizens of Karachi !!!
Beside these, in the time of extreme distress people are in, the government move to increase petrol prices by Rs 137 , adding to peoples woes. Certainly a wrong move , especially when our neighbours like India and Bangladesh are managing with lower prices. Wonder how they are coping better and surviving better.
