Murad declares Friday as a half working day due to rain emergency

In view of the rain emergency in Karachi, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has declared Friday as a half day for all government and private offices. In addition, all local bodies, hospitals, water board, Karachi Electric (KE), and cantonments have been instructed to be prepared to handle any situation.

He took this decision while presiding over a rain emergency meeting at CM House. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Dr Fakhre Alam, Secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh, Secretary Local govt Manzoor Shaikh, Secretary Finance Kazim Jatoi, SMBR Zahid Abbasi, Secretary Irrigation Niaz Abbasi, MD Solid Waste Management Imtiaz Shah, Secretary Health Mansoor Abbas, COO Water Board Asadullah, Commodore Mohammad Akram, Brig Inamul Haq of 5 Corps, and others. Mayor Karachi and divisional commissioners attended the meeting through video link.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a forecast stating that there will be rain and thunderstorms from the night of February 29, 2024, until the morning of March 2, 2024. This rainfall could be heavy, so residents are advised to prepare themselves accordingly. In Karachi, the rain is expected to start on Friday afternoon after 2 pm, and with different spells, it could cause urban flooding. The DG PDMA, Salman Shah, informed the CM that the city should expect between 16 to 32 mm of rainfall within a 12-hour period on March 1.

Read also: Karachi Prepares for Record Low Temperatures

Karachi: The Chief Minister expressed his concern over the traffic congestion issue on Shahrah-e-Faisal during last month’s rains. He has also highlighted the inconvenience caused by the construction of BRT Red Line on the university road. To tackle the situation, the Chief Minister has announced that Friday will be observed as a half-day in all government and private institutions, including educational institutions across Karachi. In addition, he has advised the citizens to stay indoors and take care of their children during this period.

Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab told the meeting that there were 28 points in the city where rainwater accumulates. The KMC and water board have prepared their plan to dewater such areas if it rains so heavily.

The CM directed all the town chairmen to be alert in their respective areas look after their stormwater and sewerage systems and look after their people. He directed Chief Secretary Dr Fakhre Alam to issue a directive to the police to help the district administration in case the heavy rain was received.

The PDMA DG told the CM that he has provided the necessary machinery for the disposal of rainwater to all the commissioners, deputy commissioners and local bodies. He said that he would provide more machinery and other materials if and when they needed them.

Murad Ali Shah also put the Rescue 1122 on high alert so that they could

KE: Syed Murad Ali Shah directed K Electric to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the pumping stations of the water board. He added that it has been observed that KE switched off electricity when it rained heavy but this time this practice must be avoided.

Northern Sindh: It was observed that heavy rains have hit various of Balochistan, therefore there was a possibility that hill torrents may cause flooding in Kamnbar down to Jamshoro. At this, secretary Irrigation Niaz Abbasi said that the water level in Manchar was 110.1 and it had ample space to receive more water from hill torrents.

The CM directed Commissioner Larkana to personally monitor the situation and remain alert to face any situation.

Urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar: The chief minister also observed the Urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar has started and in case of heavy rain there would be serious problems for the pilgrims. He directed Commissioner Hyderabad Khalid Hyder Shah to make necessary arrangements for the protection of pilgrims and direct the HESCO to supply uninterrupted electricity to Sehwan, particularly during the Urs days.

The chief minister stated that while the thunderstorm predicted by the meteorological department may not be severe, the ongoing rain havoc in some areas of Balochistan due to climate change necessitates preparedness.

Other divisions: The chief minister directed all the divisional commissioners of Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, and Shaheed Benazirabad to take necessary measures to meet the requirements of the rain emergency.