The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Tuesday issued an alert for the upcoming spell of rain in Karachi and several parts of the province this week, as forecast by the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
The port city, along with Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Dadu, Kashmore, Jacobabad, and Larkana, are expected to receive rain and thunderstorms on March 25, 26, 28, and 29, the Met Office said.
In the wake of said rain forecast, the PDMA instructed its staff to remain on high alert with all necessary machinery ready. As per the alert, strong winds and hail may damage weak structures and solar panels, while temperatures are expected to drop.
Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel. Tourists and travellers are urged to take precautions, and farmers are advised to protect crops in advance. The rain alert was issued in compliance with the orders of Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, who chaired a meeting on the weather forecast earlier in the day. During the meeting, he directed all commissioners, deputy commissioners, and assistant commissioners to remain in the field for the next seven days.
He instructed the district administrations and local bodies to be fully mobilized. Authorities have been ordered to ensure machinery for water drainage is available and operational, maintain traffic flow, and remove hazardous billboards.
Public awareness campaigns and all precautionary measures are to be completed ahead of the predicted weather events. Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi directed all deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, and relevant departments to be on alert to handle any emergency situation due to the predicted rain.
He said they should be fully prepared to implement their emergency plans to minimize rain damage and provide relief to citizens. All departments must submit their emergency plan details to the commissioner’s office immediately.
The commissioner’s rescue help line has been activated for citizen assistance and inter-departmental coordination. Staff has been assigned, and citizens can contact Rescue 1299 for help or information.
The commissioner directed deputy commissioners to activate control rooms and set up help desks there. Written orders were issued to various authorities, including the additional IG police, DIG traffic police, KMC, TMAs, cantonment boards, SSGC, KE and the department of health.
