Sindh’s Sukkur city has received devastating rains this monsoon season which broke the 77-year record of the city with 290mm rains in a single day.
In 2022, 374mm of rain had been recorded in 12 days, while in the current spell, Sukkur recorded 290mm of rainfall in just a single day, according to an official statement issued by the provincial authorities.
The Sindh government spokesperson and Sukkur Mayor Barrister Arsalan Islam Sheikh said that the dewatering process was completed in 80% of areas of the city. He added that the work was also in progress in the remaining areas and that life in the city would be back to normal in a few hours.
Sheikh further said that the Sukkur Municipal Corporation had completed the necessary arrangements for the timely dewatering of rainwater in advance, including the upgradation of disposal stations, and installation of heavy generators and relevant machinery in 57 low-lying areas.
He added that rainwater inundated Old Sukkur, Ghanta Ghar and other areas, however, timely action brought the situation under control.
Weather-related disasters are common during the monsoon season from June to September, but experts say climate change is increasing their frequency and severity.
Pakistan contributes less than 1% to global greenhouse gases yet is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change.
In 2022, catastrophic flooding plunged a third of the country underwater, killing over 1,700 people, displacing 33 million and destroying thousands of homes.