There seems to be not let down for Karachi as rain continues to pour. The rains have let down in intensity. But not without affecting the business activities in the entire city. Most businesses remain shut due to the heavy rains. The rain itself is a major problem for the city’s fragile infrastructure.
The accumulated water on the roads and the breakdown in the electricity was the final nail in the coffin for most business-related activities. All Karachi Tajir Itehad Chairman Atiq Mir remarked that the city witnessed a trade loss of Rs. 5 billion on Monday alone.
This, too, was a modest estimate. The actual losses will grow higher in the coming days as well. Some traders tried to open their shops and resume the business activities. However, incessant rain restricted their work. Also, the accumulated water blocked the main arteries. Unfortunately, the sewerage water also found its way onto the roads.
Rain Brings Traffic to a Halt in Karachi
This restricted the flow of traffic throughout the city. The bad luck continued for the traders. Rainwater along with sewage water started pouring into the shops, especially in the old areas of the cities. It caused substantial financial losses to the business community. The business community rued the government’s lack of adequate planning.
Moreover, Chairman Atiq Mir criticized the Sindh government for not dealing with the problem beforehand. He condoled the loss of life as 12 people were killed in Karachi. Most deaths are a result of electrocution. As power lines were damaged due to the heavy rainfall.
In addition to this, President of the North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry remarked that despite the rain, workers were able to come to the factories. However, due to the blocked roads, raw materials could not reach the factories. Hence, 10% production capacity was realized despite the attendance of workers.
Also, the breakdown in the electricity was also a cause of reduced production. Since the city was suffering from extraordinary power outages, the factories could not keep running their standby generators for long. Furthermore, the President of the F.B. Area Association of Trade and Industry said worker attendance remained low.
20-30 per cent of total workers could not reach the factories due to blockage of roads. When coupled with the breakdown in power, production activities could not reach their full potential. According to him, this affected 40% of the entire production activities in the area.
The small and medium enterprises were the most affected by the rain and the resultant damage. Due to the high cost of fuel, they could not afford to utilize their standby generators for long. Hence, their losses were much more significant.
Local Government Minister Claims All Is Well
The General Secretary of the All-City Tajir Itehad Association said that rainwater and sewage water is responsible for destroying goods over Rs. 20 billion in the city’s old areas. To rub salt to the wounds of the public and the business community, Sindh Local Government Minister, on Friday, said that the government tackled the problem exceptionally well.
During a press conference, the Minister said had the government not taken adequate steps, the losses would have been much more significant. Unfortunately for the people of Karachi and the rest of Pakistan, the Minister does not see the loss of 12 people and billions of rupees as significant.
Conclusion
All that can be done is to pray that the provincial and federal government learns from this episode. With more rain in the coming days and weeks in Karachi, let us hope they clear the sewage and drainage system of the city. If this is not done, God forbid, the city will witness a repeat of recent days.
