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The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has declared 740 buildings unsafe across the province, including 588 in Karachi, as the monsoon season approaches.
These aging structures, many over a century old, pose a serious risk of collapse during heavy rains. SBCA has issued fresh evacuation notices, urging residents to leave immediately for their own safety.
Despite warnings, many occupants refuse to vacate, citing their reliance on central locations for work, transport, and healthcare. Most of them are low-income families, including descendants of 1947 migrants, who lack the means to relocate.
To prepare for emergencies, SBCA has set up 24/7 Rain Emergency Centres at its Karachi office and regional branches in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, and Larkana. These centres are manned by technical teams working in three shifts, ready to act quickly.
SBCA Director General Muhammad Ishaq Khuhro said rainwater further weakens already fragile structures. He also warned that electrical short circuits in wet buildings may lead to fires, increasing the threat to lives.
The authority has launched an awareness campaign in high-risk neighborhoods, using loudspeakers and banners to inform the public of the dangers of staying in unsafe buildings.
Khuhro urged residents to prioritize their lives over property, saying, “No home is worth more than your safety.” He added that rescue teams will remain on high alert during the upcoming monsoon spell.
SBCA is coordinating with local departments to respond to building collapses and other monsoon-related emergencies, stressing that public cooperation is essential to avoid disasters.
