KARACHI: On Friday, rain fell in varied degrees over the city of Karachi. Forecasters are predicting more rain and thunderstorms later on today.
There has been a westward system affecting Karachi since Friday morning, resulting in cloudy skies. The downpour started in a number of areas at about 10:30 in the morning, stopped for a while, and then started up again shortly after.
This rain has reportedly reached many parts of the city, such as Baldia Town, Saddar, Scheme 33, New Karachi, FB Area, Nazimabad, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Korangi, Malir, Clifton, Gulshan-e-Maimar, North Karachi, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, and Gulshan-e-Hadeed.
Many roads are reportedly waterlogged, causing traffic gridlock, and multiple motorcyclists have slipped and injured themselves as a result of the rainfall.
Friday was a partial day for all public and commercial offices, including schools, as proclaimed by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who had earlier declared a rain emergency in the province.
There has been an order for all local bodies, hospitals, water boards, Karachi Electric (KE), and cantonments to be ready for anything.
According to PMD’s most recent forecast, “rain/thunderstorms with few heavy falls” are anticipated in northern Sindh from February 29 to March 2, and starting from March 1, the same conditions are predicted to occur in the rest of Sindh.
In low-lying places, urban flooding can be caused by heavy falls. While fishermen in Sindh should exercise caution throughout the projected period, those in Balochistan should wait until March 1 before venturing out to sea.
According to the PMD, there is a westerly wave currently affecting Balochistan and the surrounding districts of Sindh. As a result, “rain/thunderstorm with few heavy falls likely in Kambar Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Larkana, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Ghotki, Sukkur and Dadu till tomorrow morning.”
In addition to the identical forecast for the rest of the province, tomorrow “mainly dry weather is expected in most districts of the province”—which includes Karachi—was also included.
The province administration has declared a rain emergency, and today the IG Sindh met to discuss the matter. He ordered all high-ranking officials to collaborate closely with the provincial and federal administrations of Sindh.
In times of public emergency, he further ordered the police to respond.
While meeting on Thursday, the CM reminded all town chairmen to keep a close eye on the stormwater and sewerage systems in their districts. Additionally, Dr. Fakhre Alam, the chief secretary, was ordered to tell the police to aid the district administration in the event of heavy rain.
Commissioners, deputy commissioners, and local bodies will be provided with the apparatus needed for rainwater disposal, according to the PDMA DG, who notified the CM. As required, further equipment and supplies would be supplied.
Additionally, Murad activated Rescue 1122’s high alert. It told K-Electric to keep the water board pumping stations’ power on at all times and to dissuade people from turning off the power when it rains heavily.
