Experts Urge Swift Action
As dense clouds linger over Karachi following heavy monsoon devastation, health experts urged authorities to accelerate water drainage. They stressed the immediate removal of solid waste and stagnant water before the next spell to reduce health risks.
Growing Risk of Outbreaks
“There is a high risk of water and vector-borne diseases this year,” warned Dr Imran Sarwar, head of emergency at Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital. Pools of standing water, he explained, quickly become mosquito breeding grounds. He noted that gastroenteritis, malaria, and dengue cases typically surge after heavy rains.
Early Signs in Hospitals
Currently, most patients at Civil Hospital report viral infections. Dr Sarwar said this trend would likely change soon, mirroring past monsoon seasons. Overflowing gutters, heaps of garbage, and stagnant pools already pose serious health threats across the city.
Alarming Hospital Loads
Dr Abdul Wahid Rajput, Medical Superintendent at Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital, shared similar concerns. He explained that water and vector-borne diseases already make up 30 to 40 percent of patient admissions. “These diseases can kill if complications occur,” he said. “Every age group is vulnerable, and fragile infrastructure makes the threat worse.”
Traditional Mosquito Control
Offering solutions, Dr Waqar Ahmed from Karachi University suggested reviving a traditional mosquito-control method. Adding small amounts of vegetable, neem, mineral, or kerosene oil to stagnant water kills mosquito larvae. He stressed that such minimal use causes no environmental harm and could greatly reduce mosquito populations.
Rainwater Harvesting Solutions
Dr Ahmed also emphasized rainwater harvesting as a long-term solution. Collecting rainwater on rooftops and channeling it underground could recharge reservoirs. He regretted that concretisation of Karachi has reduced natural replenishment spaces. Making harvesting systems mandatory in new buildings, he argued, would both reduce flooding and restore groundwater.
Planning Ahead
Experts stressed that Karachi authorities must prioritize cleaning stormwater drains and removing encroachments. Without urgent interventions, the city risks facing severe outbreaks after each monsoon.
