Sindh CM announces public holiday in Karachi due to rain

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday announced a public holiday in Karachi for Wednesday following the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) forecast of heavy downpours.

The CM urged citizens to stay indoors, saying the decision was made to prevent inconvenience and ensure public safety as more rains are expected. He said the holiday would help reduce traffic and protect people from potential hazards during the fresh spell.

According to the Met Office, Wednesday’s rains are expected to be heavier than those recorded on Tuesday, raising the risk of urban flooding across the city.

Rainfall data released for Tuesday (8am–8pm) showed Gulshan-e-Hadeed received the heaviest showers at 170mm, followed by Old Airport at 158.5mm, Jinnah Terminal at 152.8mm, Nazimabad 149.6mm, Surjani 145.2mm, and North Karachi 143.8mm.

Authorities have placed all civic and rescue departments on high alert as Karachi braces for another day of torrential rains.