The recent flood stream triggered by the second magic form to monsoon rains this year that increased through Karachi has disappeared, but it has again placed the future of Saadi Town and Saadi Garden – two of the 33’s largest housing projects – under intense control. Drenering operations continue over more than 10,000 reasons that houses more than 40,000 people where streets and properties remain waterproof.
The flood was triggered by overflow from the Thaddo dam in Gadap, which crossed the M9 motorway and entered the schedule 33. The stream traveled through Shamim Villas, Guldhan-E-US, Block 7 and Saadi Garden, before flooded the Saadi city and eventually spread in nearby season.
Kausar Jehan, a resident of Saadi Town, says that after her husband’s death she used her savings to build her house. However, every monsoon season, she lives in constant fear that a flood can strike at any time. To escape this uncertainty, she intends to sell her house and move to another society.
SINDH Governments Answer
Sindh Minister of Chief Murad Ali Shah had declared that Saadi Town and Saadi Garden were constructed on natural streams and that such settlements “should not exist.”
The resident Rasheed Ahmed called the Sindh Chief Minister’s recent remarks irresponsible and said, “When these housing arrangements were developed, the provincial government was sleeping? We will not allow anyone to ruin our multi-billion-peppe properties.”
Tauqeer Haider, resident of Saadi Town, says they pay their property tax to Malir Cantonment Board, and even the cards of houses built in this society are approved by the canton. He believes that the Sindh government and Cantonment Board should work together to resolve this case.
Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab suggested as he turned to the consistent urban flood of the city, an alternative passage to flooding water. “There is a need for a great drainage to protect the communities that come under the Saadi town and the water passage, which would carry water from the Thado Dam and Lath Nadi to the Malir River.”
Wahab stated that there is a plan to construct a large drain to channel the water. The offer process for this project has been completed, but the work has not yet started. The mayor added that there is an effort to end the construction of this large rainwater drain before the upcoming monsoon, so water can reach the Malir River without causing damage to the highway.
Origins of Saadi Town
Established in the 1980s Saadi city was launched by Senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader and former Senator Mohsin Siddiqui through Pak Land Housing PVT. Ltd. The scheme was approved by Cantonment Board Malir (CBM), after which thousands of buyers bought land and constructed homes. The area has long been prone to flooding.
In 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2017, Thaddo Dam flooded and sent flooding water to Saadi city and the nearby communities. In 2013, the flood was so severe that it affected the Amroha Society and reached as far as Safora Chowk and Rim Jhim Tower. Each time the water followed its natural course and traveled more than 20 kilometers before crossing the highway and entering populated neighborhoods.
In the second spell of rain to hit the city this year, limited damage was held in the area. Reduced intensity of the flood stream and several kilometers of open land between the highway and the dam absorbed much of the strength.
According to Naveed, a resident of the Gullhan-E-Musman, strong border walls and the conscious violation of a section ensured that only a few centimeters of water entered the community.
Economic impact
While Saadi Town is now almost fully inhabited, Saadi Garden remains with its 7,000 reasons largely unemployed. Property dealer Imdad Hussain noted that the sale of property in scheme 33 has already been slowed over the past four years, and fears that the minister’s statement will further reduce prices.
In 2010, after major floods, a 120 square meter plot was appreciated for RS800,000 to 1 million. Prices rose steadily after 2018 and reached RS6-9 million today. Now, property experts predict a marked fall.
