The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has declared 722 buildings across various regions of Sindh, including 570 in Karachi, as extremely dangerous and uninhabitable. This decision comes in anticipation of the upcoming monsoon rains and aims to protect lives and property from potential disasters.
The SBCA’s survey, conducted under the directives of Director General Abdul Rashid Solangi, identified these hazardous structures through a technical committee comprising expert construction engineers. The survey has categorized buildings in several regions as perilous: 570 in Karachi, 81 in the Hyderabad region, 60 in the Sukkur region, seven in the Mirpurkhas region, and four in the Larkana region.
Given the imminent monsoon season, the SBCA has issued a stern warning to the occupants of these buildings, urging immediate evacuation. The authority emphasized that the risk of structural collapse increases significantly during heavy rains due to water seepage and potential fires from short circuits. Some of these dangerous buildings in Karachi also hold historical significance, adding to the complexity of the situation.
In a bid to safeguard human lives, the SBCA is calling for prompt action from residents. “Occupants and users of these dangerous buildings must vacate immediately,” a statement from the SBCA urged. The authority is also appealing to the public’s sense of humanitarian duty to report any buildings with structural defects or substandard construction, particularly in densely populated urban areas.
The SBCA has provided channels for the public to report such hazards, encouraging written submissions or applications via their website, www.sbca.gos.pk.
This proactive measure by the SBCA highlights the critical need for timely interventions in urban planning and safety. As monsoon rains approach, the evacuation and reporting efforts are essential to prevent tragic incidents, ensuring that residents remain safe during the potentially hazardous weather conditions.
