Sa'adia Reza in Dawn.com (Pakistan): Given that drastic
climate change is inevitable, the only way to lessen its impact is to prepare
ourselves and adapt to it in the best possible manner. In this regard, a
city-specific roadmap was discussed at a workshop, Climate change adaptation
strategy for Karachi — a roadmap, at a hotel on Tuesday.
Organised by a non-governmental organisation, Shehri —
Citizens for a Better Environment, the event identified and examined various
factors that led to the present climatic conditions, and assessed the critical
vulnerabilities that Karachi may be exposed to due to climate change.
Urban planner Farhan Anwar highlighted the need to involve
the city government in order to realise an improvement in adapting to climate
change. Using visual aid, Anwar identified areas that are vulnerable to floods,
droughts, sea-level rise and extreme heat events. He laid emphasis on the
urgent need for a strategy to combat climate change in Karachi.
He noted that a national disaster management report had
discussed the impact of climate change on transport, energy and other sectors
when it should have taken into account urban areas, which are important
stakeholders. Referring to the areas that are dotted with slums and hill
settlements threatened by floods, Anwar said that there was a vital need to
establish a ‘flood risk zone’ in order to rate the risk possibility.
...“Apart from Malir and Lyari rivers, we have bloated
drainage and sewage systems,” he said, “In worst case scenario, in terms of
flooding, storm water and rainfall, 50 per cent of the entire population in
vulnerable areas will have to be evacuated. We need a surface management plan
for Karachi, and should evaluate and improve the design and maintenance of
drainage system.”...
A 1900 bird's eye view of Suddar Bazaar in Karachi, from the British Museum
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