SUMMARY of the Article “Urban Flooding,” by Dr Noman Ahmed, Dawn, July 25th, 2024
The article by Dr. Noman Ahmed addresses the critical issue of urban flooding in Karachi, particularly in light of the expected torrential rains in early August. Various government tiers, including the chief minister and the president, have emphasized the need for immediate and effective preparations to mitigate the damage caused by flooding. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is tasked with managing the main storm drains but faces significant challenges due to limited financial and technical resources. One of the primary causes of urban flooding is the uncoordinated real estate development, especially in areas designated for livestock rearing, urban farming, and forestation. Anti-encroachment efforts have largely failed to improve water drainage. Historically, Karachi’s development, including its storm drainage system, was well-planned during the British colonial period, integrating land surveys and rainfall assessments to manage rainwater effectively. However, these practices were not institutionalized post-independence, leading to the current dysfunction. The idea of using the sewerage system for rainwater disposal is also problematic due to the informal settlements along major nullahs. Illegal sand mining, encroachments, and the dumping of solid waste have further disrupted the natural and manmade storm drains, reducing their capacity. The article underscores the need for comprehensive solutions, including regular maintenance of drainage systems, prevention of waste dumping, strengthening of embankments, dredging of watercourses, and the separation of sewerage from drainage systems. The synchronization of mega transportation projects like the Red Line and Yellow Line BRT with the drainage network is also essential. The article concludes with a call for immediate action by local and provincial governments to identify unsafe locations, deploy personnel for public safety, and implement long-term strategies for floodwater retention and urban planning.
Easy/Short SUMMARY:
The article discusses the problem of urban flooding in Karachi, especially with heavy rains expected in early August. The government is working on preparations to reduce the damage. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is responsible for storm drains but has limited resources. One major cause of flooding is unplanned real estate development. Historical plans for drainage worked well, but they have not been maintained properly since independence. Illegal activities like sand mining and dumping waste into drains have worsened the situation. The article suggests solutions like regular cleaning of drains, stopping waste dumping, and better planning of new projects to prevent flooding. Immediate action is needed to protect people and property during heavy rains.
SOLUTIONS to The Problem:
Regular Maintenance of Drainage Systems
Establish a routine schedule for cleaning and maintaining storm drains and nullahs to ensure they function properly during heavy rains.
Prevention of Waste Dumping
Implement strict regulations and monitoring to prevent the dumping of solid waste and construction debris into storm drains and water bodies.
Strengthening Embankments
Reinforce the embankments of rivers and nullahs to prevent overflow and flooding during torrential rains.
Dredging of Watercourses
Conduct regular dredging of riverbeds and nullahs to remove silt and other obstructions that hinder water flow.
Separation of Sewerage and Drainage Systems
Ensure that sewerage systems and stormwater drainage systems are separate to prevent overflow and contamination during heavy rains.
Voluntary Resettlement Programs
Develop and offer voluntary resettlement options for people living in informal settlements along nullahs to reduce the risk of flooding.
Integration with Transportation Projects
Synchronize major transportation projects, like the Red Line and Yellow Line BRT, with the existing drainage network to prevent blockages and ensure efficient water flow.
Community Awareness Campaigns
Launch awareness campaigns to educate the public on the importance of keeping drains clean and the dangers of encroachments and illegal activities.
Enhanced Coordination Among Agencies
Improve coordination among different government agencies and stakeholders to implement a unified and effective flood management strategy.
Emergency Response Teams
Deploy emergency response teams to assist residents in flood-prone areas, providing timely support to safeguard lives and property during heavy rains.
IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the Article:
- Karachi is expected to receive torrential rains in early August.
- The KMC is responsible for storm drains but lacks financial and technical resources.
- Unplanned real estate development contributes to urban flooding.
- Historical drainage systems were well-planned but are now dysfunctional.
- Illegal sand mining and waste dumping disrupt storm drains.
- The article emphasizes the need for immediate action and long-term strategies to manage flooding.
MCQs from the Article:
1. What is one of the primary causes of urban flooding in Karachi?
A. Excessive rainfall
B. Earthquakes
C. Uncoordinated real estate development
D. Lack of sewerage systems
2. Which organization is responsible for managing the main storm drains in Karachi?
A. Sindh Government
B. Federal Government
C. Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC)
D. Local Municipalities
3. What illegal activity is impacting the hydrology of storm drains in Karachi?
A. Logging
B. Sand mining
C. Fishing
D. Mining for coal
4. What is suggested as a problematic solution for rainwater disposal in Karachi?
A. Using the sewerage system
B. Building new dams
C. Constructing new drains
D. Expanding roads
5. What project synchronization is emphasized in the article?
A. Synchronizing educational programs
B. Synchronizing transportation projects with the drainage network
C. Synchronizing health services
D. Synchronizing electric grids
VOCABULARY:
- Precautionary (احتیاطی): Actions taken to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happening.
- Mandate (حکم): An official order or commission to do something.
- Jurisdiction (دائرہ اختیار): The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.
- Torrential (موسلا دھار): Falling rapidly and in copious quantities.
- Uncoordinated (بے قاعدہ): Lacking organization or planning.
- Encroachment (تجاوز): Intrusion on a person’s territory, rights, etc.
- Institutionalised (ادارہ جاتی): Established as a norm in an organization or culture.
- Hydrology (آبیات): The scientific study of the movement, distribution, and management of water on Earth.
- Illegal (غیر قانونی): Contrary to or forbidden by law.
- Debris (ملبہ): Scattered pieces of waste or remains.
- Connivance (ملی بھگت): Willingness to secretly allow or be involved in wrongdoing.
- Recycling (ری سائیکلنگ): The process of converting waste into reusable material.
- Voluntary (رضاکارانہ): Done, given, or acting of one’s own free will.
- Resettlement (آبادکاری): The act of moving people to a different place to live.
- Retention (روک): The continued possession, use, or control of something.
- Mitigate (کم کرنا): Make less severe, serious, or painful.
- Outfit (ادارہ): A group of people working together as an organization, especially a military or political one.
- Synchronised (ہم وقت سازی): Cause to occur or operate at the same time or rate.
- Embarkments (مٹی بھرنے کا کام): A wall or bank of earth or stone built to prevent a river flooding an area.
- Nullah (نالہ): A ravine or gully in India, used as a drainage channel or stream.
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dawn.com
Urban flooding
Dr Noman Ahmed
TAKING precautionary steps to minimise the damage wreaked on life and property seems high on the agenda of the various tiers of government in Karachi. The chief minister has held several meetings with the relevant authorities regarding effective preparations to cope with the expected rains and flooding. The president called on the chief minister, mayor and others to take swift action to prevent flooding in Karachi neighbourhoods.
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has the mandate to manage the main storm drains that fall under its jurisdiction. But it is unfair to expect a lot from KMC, given its limited financial strength and technical capacity. As Karachi is likely to receive torrential rains in early August, it is time for swift action.
One reasons for urban flooding is uncoordinated real estate development, as seen in suburban Karachi. Construction has also been going on in areas strictly recommended for livestock rearing, urban farming, forestation, etc. The so-called anti-encroachment drives, in part to enable water to drain properly, have proved largely ineffective.
Much of Karachi’s development took place under the overall framework of plans and schemes carried forward from pre-independence times. The British had brought in a municipal system to plan and develop urban infrastructure. Storm drains were an essential feature. Through land surveys and the use of available means to assess rainfall and the surrounding terrain, Karachi was protected as rainwater was effectively drained. The measures were also meant to enable Karachi to withstand torrential rains. The sewerage system was planned in conjunction with a drainage plan, though both functioned independently.
Storm drains in Karachi no longer work well.
Periodic maintenance, repairs and an effective monitoring process made the system dependable. Manuals, SOPs, and projections were diligently prepared. Engineering wisdom and sound urban planning logic enabled the administration to manage Karachi well. The system became distorted when these practices were not institutionalised after independence.
Some quarters are talking about using the sewerage system for rainwater disposal. This must be reconsidered. Karachi has many informal settlements located along the edges of major nullahs. Various settlements in Lyari, Orangi, Malir and the central parts of the city are examples. While life and activities benefit from convenient access for disposing domestic waste water, urban flooding becomes a threat.
Until around three decades ago, Karachi’s storm drains, natural and manmade, helped mitigate flooding. Not anymore. The hydrology of the drains is impacted by illegal sand mining that continues relentlessly along natural water courses. Many formal outfits have also encroached upon these nullahs, creating obstacles for the free flow of water. The parking area of a major judicial office in Karachi has apparently been constructed on a drain. Unrestricted dumping of solid waste and construction debris directly into the nullahs also reduces the carrying capacity of the water flows.
Unsuitable repairs raise the level of main roads, allowing rainwater to gush into the streets. This is found in almost every neighbourhood in Karachi. A thriving informal sector uses nullahs and rivers as sites of waste recycling enterprises. With the connivance of municipal staff, much of this waste is regularly brought to the nullah sites where recyclable items are separated and organic or worthless waste is made to settle on the river beds. Thus the silt content continues to expand.
Several sites in Lasbela along the Lyari river are linked to recycling. They can be connected to the city waste management system to prevent the random disposal of solid waste in nearby water bodies. When Karachi faced torrential rains a decade ago, locations along the river and nullah were severely flooded as the water could not find a proper path for outward flow. Meanwhile, it is not clear whether mega transportation projects such as the Red Line BRT and Yellow Line BRT are synchronised with the drainage network.
With rains predicted, the local and provincial governments must identify unsafe locations across the city, and urge the public to take precautionary measures. Personnel to assist people in safeguarding life and property must be deployed without delay.
In the meantime, the longer view ought to be kept in mind. Regular cleaning of roadside drainage channels, putting a stop to the dumping of solid waste into drains/ water bodies, strengthening embankments, dredging river and nullah beds, repairing sewerage schemes and separating them from drainage, creating voluntary resettlement options for nullah dwellers and accelerating the natural absorption of water through sound floodwater retention strategies should be expedited.
The writer is an academic and researcher based in Karachi.
Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2024