Hard Rain, soft measures

Evaluating the damages caused by the recent downpour establishes two points: 1) we hardly take enough precautionary measures to meet the eventualities and 2) unless water reservoirs are constructed the country would continue to suffer mild to high floods during monsoon and drought like situation during the rest of the year.
The most disgusting fact is that the country has been facing this situation for decades and policy planners are only dragging their heels on it. Their only complaint is "we do not get enough funds to do the needful."
The photographs published in the print media and video footage beamed by television networks show many feet high water holding sway on main roads and streets in provincial capitals, what to talk of smaller cities, town and villages. The problems of urban areas are certainly different from rural ones and it's only due to the apathy of the concerned. Added to the apathy is rampant corruption when tenders are awarded, completion reports are prepared, and inspections are undertaken. It hardly results in any work on the ground.
To begin with least attention is paid while constructing any road for rain drains. Even if constructed, they soon get clogged with garbage. Prior to monsoon tenders are floated for drain- cleaning only to exercise futility. The result is only submerged roads from days to months.
There are two flyovers under-construction this year. One is near Mehmoodabad and other at Tipu Sultan intersection. Ideally, the project should have been completed before the start of monsoon, but the delay was condoned by the authorities. Mehoomabad flyover is three months behind schedule at least. While the delay could have been condoned for certain unavoidable reasons, the absence of appropriate diversion can not be forgiven. In any contract enough allocation is made for the construction of diversions. Therefore, heavy penalty should be imposed on the contractor. This may not be the only example but certainly is the most naked violation of the rules.
Karachiwalas are a little lucky this time around as rain showers, here, are intermittent. While relatively less standing water was witnessed on main roads compared to previous years, the point to ponder is why most of the rain drains were not cleaned before the onset of monsoon. On top of this officials and janitorial staff were also scarce this season. It is known for ages that FTC is a chokepoint but no appropriate measures were taken when an open drain was constructed on Korangi Road. The result is stubborn stagnant water that stays there for days after heavy downpour.
One can well imagine if the conditions of expressways and trunk roads are as described above, what Katchi Abadis would be putting up with. The concerned ones will have to work harder, because money is not the problem, they have ample funds --for Karachi at least-- but again the "will" is something which they don't seem to have enough.