Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui said the decision for the half-day was taken as a precaution”. He also requested citizens to avoid traveling unnecessarily to stave off any inconvenience.
“Though preparations have been made, as a matter of abundant precaution, it has been decided in a meeting presided by CM that tomorrow will be a half day for offices in Karachi division from 2 pm. Citizens are requested to also avoid unnecessary movement to avoid any inconvenience,” he tweeted.
Meanwhile, Sindh’s Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Thursday declared a rain emergency in the province after a weather forecast of heavy rainfall.
Murad Ali Shah presided over a meeting regarding the weather emergency and directed for a high alert at all local bodies, administration, and hospitals.
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 complete about rainfall warning,” 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.
The Met Office has forecast heavy rainfall across most districts of Sindh with wind or thunderstorms in Karachi, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Khairpur and Mirpurkhas on 29th Feb and 01st March. Isolated hailstorms are also likely during this period.