Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has declared a rain emergency across the province. This decision comes as the Sindh Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued urban flooding alerts, directing officials to take necessary precautions.
Tomorrow, March 1, has been declared a half-day for all government and private offices in Karachi. The decision was made during a meeting chaired by CM Murad at the CM House earlier today. The CM has urged citizens to avoid unnecessary outings, especially after 2pm when rainfall is predicted to begin in the city.
CM Sindh has convened a meeting regarding rain preparation early morning tomorrow. Climate change is a reality. February or March were not known for rainfall in Karachi. KMC has already declared rain emergency & machinery is being deployed for clearing different choking points pic.twitter.com/SgpaRcYkdk
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) February 28, 2024
The Meteorological Department’s advisory forecasts rain and thunderstorms with heavy falls in northern Sindh from February 29 to March 2, extending to the rest of the province from March 1. Fishermen in Balochistan and Sindh have been cautioned against venturing into deep sea waters until March 1.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab confirmed the half-day decision, emphasizing that despite preparations, precautions are being taken to minimize potential disruptions. “Citizens are requested to also avoid unnecessary movement to avoid any inconvenience,” Mayor Wahab stated.
PDMA Director General Salman Shah informed the meeting that heavy rainfall is expected in northern Sindh until March 2, with the central areas of the province likely to experience rain from March 1. In Karachi, 13mm to 16mm of rainfall is expected in a 12-hour period starting Friday afternoon.
Acknowledging drainage issues from previous rains, Mayor Wahab assured the public that efforts are underway to resolve these. The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) has deployed 53 suction machines to address potential flooding. PDMA’s Shah pledged additional machinery support to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) for efficient rainwater drainage.
CM Murad also directed the Larkana commissioner to make necessary arrangements to prevent rainwater inflow from Balochistan’s mountainous areas. The provincial irrigation department assured that Manchhar Lake is prepared to manage the expected inflow of rainwater.
As the province braces for heavy rainfall, residents are advised to stay updated with weather alerts and exercise caution during this period.
