Rain: bane, not blessing

Letter July 02, 2016
Rain is usually considered a blessing of nature but not for the people of Karachi

KARACHI: Rain is usually considered a blessing of nature but not for the people of Karachi. And as soon as the city receives the slightest bit of rainfall, K-Electric takes us back to the Stone Age. Some 622 feeders tripped, pushing over half of the city into darkness as Karachi experienced its first rain of the monsoon season. Rescue teams stated that one young girl in Orangi Town died after a wall fell on her and two kids were electrocuted amid heavy rainfall. Millions of gallons of water could not be supplied to the city after power supply was cut to the pumping station. Due to a poorly designed drainage system, rainwater continues to stand on roads causing traffic jams. Markets are flooded with water so people are unable to complete their Eid shopping. The sewerage system is a complete failure. The city of lights no longer lives up to its name.

What does the KMC do all year round when its only job is to ensure efficient administration of the city of lights? Yes, it is quite effective when it comes to cleaning up the city, but only when some ‘great personality’ is visiting. So many years have passed and we still don’t have basic utilities. Is this not a sign that democracy has failed?

Namrah Khan

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2016.

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