Rain emergency imposed.

Karachi -- Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar on Monday imposed rain emergency in Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and asked all departments concerned to remain high alert to cope with any untoward situation.

Akhtar asked municipal services, fire brigade and departments of health, parks and engineering to remain alert. He also asked managements of hospitals under administrative control of KMC to be on their toes to cope with any unpleasant situation.

He directed heads of different hospitals to make arrangements for rain emergency and ensure presence of doctors and paramedics round the clock. The concerned officials should keep their staff and machinery on standby for rapid response to any untoward situation, he directed. Holidays of officials concerned and staff have been cancelled.

Akhtar directed hospital managements to be alert for dengue, negleria, Chicken Gonia, Typhoid, Diarrhea and other water borne diseases.

The mayor also asked the citizens to avoid unnecessary go out and inform civic institutions in case of any emergency. 'The people should also adopt precautionary measures as thunder storm has been predicted in the city. The people should avoid standing under trees, big hoarding boards and electric poles,' he said.

Akhtar also asked citizens to wash their hands and fruits and vegetables before consumption to avoid rain-related diseases. He asked the people not to open manholes for drainage of water as it may lead to loss of human lives. 'The people should drive carefully during rains and bikers should wear helmet,' he added.

The mayor said that all civic institutions should esnure coordination for rapid action in case of any emergency. He directed that rainwater drainage should be ensured from tail-end areas as well as underpasses and big arteries. 'Heavy machinery, pumping stations and staffers should be available round the clock for water drainage and fixing of chocking points,' said Akhtar.

He was of the view that that the measures should also be taken to create awareness among people particularly children for keeping themselves away from electric poles to save valuable human lives. Akhtar directed officials concerned to visit respective areas to lead the efforts.

Stakeholders united to counter heavy rains: Nasir Sindh Minister for Information and Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has said that in order to face the expected heavy rains all the stakeholders were on the same page.

The minister expressed these views while meeting...