KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah declared a rain emergency in the province on Thursday, announcing that the following day would see a half-day for both government and private offices in Karachi.
The day prior, the Sindh Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) had issued a warning regarding urban flooding, instructing deputy commissioners and relevant officials to take necessary precautions.
The Meteorological Department’s advisory anticipated rain and thunderstorms, including heavy falls, in the northern regions of the province from February 29 to March 2, with similar conditions expected across the rest of the province from March 1.
The advisory cautioned about potential urban flooding in low-lying areas due to heavy rainfall and advised fishermen to avoid deep sea ventures until March 1 in Balochistan and to exercise caution in Sindh during the forecast period.
In response to the forecast, the Sindh government issued a notification declaring a half working day until 2 pm on March 1, 2024, due to the rain emergency, applicable to various offices in Karachi division except those engaged in essential services and rain emergency duties, including private sector organizations.
Earlier in the day, the Sindh chief minister chaired a meeting at the CM House, where it was decided to declare a rain emergency in the province and to heighten the alert level for local institutions, administration, and hospitals.
The statement further noted that the following day would be a half-day for all public and private offices in Karachi, with Shah urging people to avoid unnecessary outings, citing anticipated rainfall starting from 2 pm onwards, with subsequent spells predicted in different areas of Karachi.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
