Authorities in Karachi have imposed a rain emergency in the city and declared Friday to be a ‘half-day’ for public and private offices after the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasted heavy rain in the metropolis.

The Met says Karachi will receive heavy showers in the afternoon on Friday. It also forecasted rain in other parts of the Sindh province.

Given the forecast, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Thursday ordered a rain emergency across the province and advised people living in Karachi against stepping out of their homes on Friday (tomorrow).

A statement issued by the spokesperson of the CM announced that Murad had decided that Friday would be a “half-day” at all public and private offices in Karachi.

Half-day at private organizations as well

Later, the Sindh government issued a notification telling public and private offices to close at 2pm on Friday.

“The government of Skindh hereby declares half working day till 14:00 hours / 2:00 p.m. on 1st March 2024, (Friday) due to rain emergency for all offices, autonomous, semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, and local councils in Karachi division, except those engaged in essential service…,” the notification read.

“This notification shall be appplicable to the private sector organizations as well,” it added.

The Met forecasted heavy rains in the Sindh province including Karachi on Wednesday and then updated the forecast on Thursday.

Multiple rain spells in a single day

At a meeting, the Pakistan Meteorological Department Director General Sardar Sarfraz informed the chief minister that rain would hit Karachi in the afternoon on Friday and 13-16 millimetres of downpour were expected within a 12-hour period.

There would be three to four rain spells on Friday after 2pm, according to the statement issued by CM’s spokesperson.

Sarfraz Shahid later said that rain will be limited to March 1 only and Karachi will likely experience a clear sky on March 2.

The chief minister has instructed the traffic authorities to maintain the vehicular flow during the downpour, it said.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab told the meeting that the city authorities were trying to resolve the issues they faced during the precious rain and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board was ready to deploy at least 53 suction pumps at various locations.

Exams cancelled

Karachi University has cancelled the examination due to be held on Friday.

The Controller of Examinations, University of Karachi, said in a statement that BDS Third Professional Supplementary Examinations 2023 and MBBS Third Professional Annual Examinations 2024 on March 1, 2024, have been postponed due to the forecast of rain. The postponed examinations are now on March 7, 2024, said the statement.

Sky Wings Aviation has cancelled flying classes and all other flight operations on Friday.

Private schools in the city were cancelling the classes in the second half of the day, reports said.

A powerful weather system under westerly winds entered Pakistan on Thursday and was set to impact several regions, especially in Sindh and Balochistan.