Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah declared a rain emergency in the province after a heavy rainfall forecast.

He presided over a meeting over the weather emergency and directed for high alert at all local bodies, administration and hospitals. The meeting also declared half-day duty at all government and private institutions in Karachi tomorrow (Friday).

“The people are requested to avoid going unnecessarily of their homes,” Shah said. “Rainfall is expected in Karachi by 2:00 pm,” he said. “There are three to four spells of rainfall in the city tomorrow,” he said.

 “The rainwater is expected to enter in Sindh from Khuzdar mountain range,” Shah said. He directed Commissioner Larkana to take all precautionary measures to tackle the situation.

 “We have to keep our preparations,” the chief minister said. Director General Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Salman Shah briefed the chief minister. “Shahrah-e-Faisal in Karachi comes under water pressure in rainfall,” a PDMA official said.  Chief Minister also directed the DIG Traffic to ensure better traffic arrangements in the city.

See Also: Holiday in Sindh schools tomorrow

The Sindh government announced the closure of evening schools across the province. The Met Office forecast heavy rainfall with wind and thunderstorms is likely to hit Karachi on February 29 and may continue till March 1.

“The School Education and Literacy Department hereby declares 1^st March 2024 (Friday) as a holiday for the evening shift schools of all public and private sector institutes,” states a notification.

The authorities have adopted measures to cope with any untoward incidents. Yesterday, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued an alert asking for safety steps at the Karachi airport.

The wings of small planes be protected, the CIA directed, adding that as birds can enter the runway, additional bird shooters be deployed to avert bird hits. The authority said electric wire joints be protected well and special measures have been adopted to drain rainwater from the runaway area to ensure safe flight operation. The CAA directed the staff to be alert for 24 hours to cope with the possible challenge.