KARACHI: With heavy monsoon rains leaving large parts of Karachi waterlogged, health experts are warning of an imminent health crisis if urgent measures are not taken to clear stagnant water and solid waste from the city.
Medical professionals and environmentalists say the standing water, which is fast turning toxic under humid conditions, is creating fertile ground for mosquitoes and bacteria that could trigger a surge in waterborne and vector-borne diseases.
Dr. Imran Sarwar, head of the emergency department at Dr. Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, cautioned that the city faces a “critical window” before the next round of monsoon showers.
“There is a high risk of dengue, malaria, and gastroenteritis spreading this year,” he said. “If water pools remain unchecked, mosquito breeding will intensify, and the cases we’re already seeing could multiply rapidly.”
Currently, most patients at the hospital are suffering from seasonal viral infections, but Dr. Sarwar warned that the disease pattern typically shifts soon after heavy rains. “Every year during monsoon, we see dengue and gastro cases spike sharply. This time may be worse given the extent of flooding.”
Rising Health Burden
At the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Centre, Medical Superintendent Dr. Abdul Wahid Rajput noted that vector and waterborne illnesses already make up 30 to 40 percent of their patient load.
“These diseases should not be underestimated they can be fatal if complications set in,” he stressed. “The city’s fragile health infrastructure can only manage so much, and citizens must also share responsibility by keeping their neighborhoods cleaner and safer.”
Simple Remedies, Overlooked Solutions
Dr. Waqar Ahmed of Karachi University’s Institute of Environmental Studies suggested reviving an old but effective method of mosquito control. “Adding a small amount of vegetable, neem, or even kerosene oil to water where mosquitoes breed can kill larvae,” he explained. “It’s a simple practice our elders used, but it has largely been forgotten. If more people applied it, mosquito populations would drop significantly.”
Beyond immediate health concerns, Dr. Ahmed highlighted the lost opportunity in rainwater harvesting. He argued that the city must adopt long-term strategies, including recharging groundwater reserves. “If rainwater is collected from rooftops and directed into boreholes, it could replenish underground aquifers,” he said. “Unfortunately, Karachi’s rapid urbanisation and concrete expansion have left little room for natural absorption.”
Call for Action
Experts insist that the authorities act swiftly not only to clear storm drains and remove encroachments but also to integrate rainwater harvesting systems into building codes for new constructions.
“Urban flooding and disease outbreaks are linked problems,” Dr. Ahmed stressed. “Cleaning storm drains, harvesting rainwater, and mobilising citizens are the only ways to prevent Karachi from slipping deeper into a cycle of disaster every monsoon.”
