KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced that all public and private schools in Karachi will remain closed on Wednesday following heavy rainfall on Tuesday that submerged large parts of the city and claimed several lives.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the decision was taken in view of the difficult situation in Karachi. He said the city administration, mayor, and local bodies are on the ground, while drainage work is in progress. “The government machinery is fully active, drains are flowing, and water is being pumped out. However, due to unusually heavy rainfall in a short time, clearance will take some hours,” he added.
Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah also confirmed that schools would stay shut on Wednesday due to expected further showers. Memon urged citizens to stay indoors unnecessarily and assured that the government would not leave residents alone in this crisis.
Earlier on Tuesday, heavy downpours turned Karachi into a flooded city, leaving many roads under water. Incomplete development works, including the Red Line project, worsened the difficulties of citizens as rainwater accumulated on streets.
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According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the highest rainfall of 145 millimetres was recorded in Gulshan-e-Hadeed between 8am and 5pm. Malir Liaquat Market and Surjani Town were also badly affected, with rainwater entering houses. Reports said at least six people, including four children, lost their lives in wall-collapse incidents during the downpour.
Residents complained that despite repeated assurances, the drainage system failed to cope, exposing the tall claims of the Sindh government and Karachi mayor. Many major roads and neighbourhoods remained submerged for hours after the rain, severely disrupting daily life.
