The recent flood flow, caused by the second spell of the Monzonic rain this year, which emerged through Karachi has decreased, but once again has placed the future of the city of Saadi and the Saadi Garden, two of the largest housing projects in scheme 33, under intense scrutiny. The drainage operations continue in more than 10,000 plots that house more than 40,000 people, where the streets and properties remain flooded.
The flood was caused by the overflow of the Thaddo dam in Gadap, which crossed the M9 highway and entered scheme 33. The current traveled through Shamim Villas, Gulan-E-E-Use, block 7 and the Saadi garden before flooding the city of Saadi and finally dispersing the nearby season drains.
Kausar Jehan, a resident of the city of Saadi, says that after the death of her husband, she used her savings to build her house. Every Monzón season, however, she lives in constant fear that a flood can attack at any time. To escape this uncertainty, he now intends to sell his home and move to another society.
Sindh governments response
Sindh’s prime minister Murad Ali Shah had declared that the city of Saadi and Saadi’s garden were built in natural water courses, and that such settlements “should not exist.”
The Rasheed Ahmed resident described the recent comments of the Irresponsible Sindh Minister, saying: “When these housing schemes were developed, the provincial government was asleep? We will not allow anyone to destroy our multimillion -dollar properties.”
Tauqeer Haider, resident of the city of Saadi, says that they pay their property tax to the Cantonment de Malir Board, and even house maps built in this company are approved by the Acantonation. He believes that the Sindh government and the Acantonation Board should work together to resolve this matter.
Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, by addressing the consistent urban floods of the city, proposed an alternative passage for flood water. “A great drain is needed to protect the societies under the city of Saadi and the water passage, which would transport water from the Thado and Lath Nadi dam to the Malir River.”
Wahab declared that there is a plan to build an important drainage to channel water. The bidding process for this project has been completed, but the work has not yet begun. The mayor added that efforts are being made to complete the construction of this important rainwater drain before the next monsoon, so that the water can reach the Malir River without causing damage to the highway.
Origins of the city of Saadi
Established in the 1980s, the city of Saadi was launched by the leader of the Muttahida Qaumi (MQM) Senior and former Senator Mohsin Siddiqui through Pak Land Housing Housing Pvt. Ltd. The scheme was approved by the Junta de Cantonment Malir (CBM), after which thousands of buyers bought parcels houses. The area has been prone to flood.
In 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2017, the Thaddo dam overflowed, sending waters to the floods to the city of Saadi and nearby societies. In 2013, the flood was so severe that it hit the Amroha society and reached Safora Chowk and Rim Jhim Tower. Every time, the water followed its natural course, traveling more than 20 kilometers before crossing the highway and entering populated neighborhoods.
In the second rain spell to reach the city this year, the limited area was incurred in the area. The reduced intensity of the flood current and several kilometers of open land between the highway and the dam absorbed much of the force.
According to Naveed, a resident of Gulshan-E-Usman, strong limit walls and the deliberate violation of a section said that only a few inches of water entered society.
Financial impact
While the city of Saadi is now almost completely inhabited, the Saadi Garden, with its 7,000 plots, remains largely vacant. The real estate merchant Imdad Hussain said that property sales in scheme 33 have already slowed down in the last four years, and fears that the declaration of the main minister further reduces prices.
In 2010, after large floods, a plot of 120 square yards was valued at RS800,000 to 1 million. Prices increased constantly after 2018, reaching RS6–9 million today. Now, property experts predict a significant decrease.
