Karachi: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) stated that the urban flooding situation of the city is due to the encroachments present on a large number of stormwater drains. Sindh Irrigation Department and KMC a few years earlier had cited a survey that had shown that illegally constructed structures were built on the city drains.
The KMC officials stated that the survey was shared with the Sindh government, and ever since the encroachments hindering the storm-water drains in Karachi has increased.
The details depict that the encroachments lead to the hindrance in smooth water flow, following the heavy rains leading to flash flooding and damage to the city; Thousands of homes built on Gujjar Nullah(13.5 kilometers long). The survey results revealed that the government required billions of rupees to shift the houses away from their present problematic locations.
Further revelations from the survey indicated 27 key water drains to be encroached illegally, covering 5 to 80% of space on different drains. Like the Songa; Nullah at University Road was 70% occupied by these encroachments. Meanwhile, City Nullah from Ranchhore Lane to Mai Kolachi was 70% covered, New Karachi’s 9000 Road drain 60%, and 7000 Road in the same area 30%; Pehlwan Goth Nullah and Layari Haroonabad Nullah were both 30% encroached.
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