KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday imposed a rain emergency in the province after heavy rainfall wreaked havoc in Karachi and other parts of the province.

The chief minister reviewed the rainfall situation at Nursery area in Karachi and directed the chief secretary on the telephone to issue a notification imposing rain emergency in the province.

Murad Ali Shah cancelled holidays of all government employees and directed them to report to their departments. “The city has received heavy rainfall and some low-lying areas have submerged,” said the chief minister as he directed the PDMA to initiate relief activities in the metropolis.

He said that the government would not leave the masses alone at this testing time and he had visited parts of the city to ensure immediate clearing of rainwater from the roads.

He took this decision here on Tuesday.

The chief minister held a meeting with local government department which was attended by Minister Local Government Nasir Shah, Law Advisor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah new local government secretary Iftikhar Shahalwani and other concerned.

The meeting was told that heavy rains have lashed most of the districts, including Karachi, therefore day-to-day life has been affected.

The chief minister, keeping in view the gravity of the situation,declared rain emergency all over Sindh. He directed chief secretary to issue a notification for the purpose and cancel leaves of all the government employees and direct them to report their respective departments.

He directed Relief Commissioners, provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to start relief work immediately and start survey of the losses once the on- going spell is over.

“We will not leave our people alone and serve them to the best of our abilities,” he said.

The chief Minister just after the meeting left for the visit of the city to assess the situation.

He started his visit from Dr Ziauddin Road, Saddar Downtown, Pakistan Chowk, Shahtah-e-Faisal, Malir-15, Hassan Square and District Central.

At newly constructed People’s Square people from neighbourhood had gathered and enjoyed a picnic like atmosphere there.

The approaching roads, such as Ziauddin Road, Aiean-e-Saddar, Arts Council Road we’re inundated with rain water.

The CM in his presence installed vehicle- mounted dewatering machines to dispose of water. At Shahrah-e-Faisal near Star Gate water had accumulated, therefore vehicle-mounted dewatering machines were installed by water board and KMC to dispose of water.

The areas which were cleared the water include major portions of Shahrah-e-Faisal, Qayoomsbad Chowrangi, Malir-15 area, Hassan Square upto the area of Liaquatabad, Board office and upto KDA Chorangi.

In district Central at KDA chowrangi rain water had accumulated due to Green Line projects infrastructure established on the nallas. The water was being sucked out through suction machines.

The new commissioner Karachi Sohail Rajput just after assuming charge joined the CM at KDA Chowrangi.

The chief minister gave him necessary instruction for disposal of rain water from the low lying areas of the city.

Mr Shah visited Saifee Hospital which was cleared from rain water. The CM appreciated the local bodies for timely disposal of rain water.

Murad Ali Shah visited water pump area and inspected the areas where roads were cleared through dewatering machines

Later, Spokesman of the Sindh government Murtaza Wahab also took to Twitter to share the decision of imposing rain emergency in the province.