KARACHI: The Sindh government has placed all disaster management and emergency response agencies on high alert as heavy monsoon rains are forecast across Karachi and several districts of the province.
Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Rehabilitation Giyan Chand Essarani, in his statement on Sunday, said the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Sindh, Rescue 1122 and Mobile Diagnostic and Healthcare Services have been directed to maintain around-the-clock operational readiness, closely monitor weather conditions and ensure an immediate response to any emergency.
“All departments have been instructed to remain fully prepared to protect lives and property during the monsoon spell,” he said.
As part of the province’s preparedness plan, PDMA has deployed 50 dewatering vehicles equipped with high-capacity pumps in flood-prone areas. The deployment includes 10 vehicles in Karachi Division, 25 in Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas divisions, and 15 in Sukkur and Larkana divisions.
Within Karachi, three vehicles have been stationed in District South, two in District East and one each in West, Central, Malir and Korangi districts. Technical teams and trained operators have been assigned to each unit to respond swiftly to urban flooding and water logging.
Essarani said the PDMA Central Control Room is operating 24 hours a day. GIS specialists and emergency management teams have been continuously monitoring rainfall, weather forecasts and field reports from across Sindh. He said recent monsoon-related incidents have claimed two lives and injured two others, while Nagarparkar recorded the highest rainfall at 108 millimetres.
Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 has activated its Monsoon Contingency Plan 2026, which has been shared with Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and district administrations to strengthen coordination during emergencies.
Under the emergency plan, 1,586 rescuers and 200 control room personnel have been placed on high alert. The rescue service has also mobilised 38 rescue boats, 27 outboard motors, 15 fire engines, 24 search-and-rescue vehicles, 13 recovery vehicles, nine water rescue vehicles and 19 emergency response cabins for immediate deployment.
The contingency plan covers urban flooding, flash floods, lightning strikes, electrocution, building collapses, road accidents and evacuation of stranded residents. Rescue 1122’s Central Command and Control Centre is maintaining continuous surveillance, while district rescue teams remain on standby.
Essarani said Mobile Health Units have also been mobilised to provide emergency medical treatment, diagnostic services and primary healthcare to communities in remote and rain-affected areas that could become inaccessible during the monsoon.
He directed all departments to work in close coordination, submit daily situation reports and ensure uninterrupted rescue, relief and healthcare services. “The Sindh government has mobilised all available resources and is fully prepared to respond to any monsoon-related emergency,” Essarani said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026