The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Monday issued a province-wide alert on directives issued by Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Rehabilitation Giyan Chand Essarani amid rain forecast.
Officials said the PDMA had issued an alert across the province in light of the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s forecast predicting rain, strong winds, thunderstorms and isolated hailstorms in the coming days, directing all deputy commissioners and district disaster management authorities to ensure necessary precautionary arrangements.
According to Essarani, a westerly weather system is expected to approach the southwestern parts of Balochistan from April 1 and may persist until April 4. Under its influence, intermittent rain and thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds are likely in Karachi, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Dadu, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad and Tharparkar between April 2 and April 4, with chances of hailstorms at isolated locations.
The PDMA warned that windstorms and lightning could damage weak structures, including electric poles, billboards and solar panels, and may also affect standing crops. Farmers have been advised to take preventive measures, while citizens and travellers have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period. A decrease in daytime temperatures is also expected.
Following the adviser’s directions, district administrations, rescue services and relevant departments have been placed on alert to ensure drainage arrangements, availability of emergency machinery and deployment of rescue teams to respond promptly to any situation.
Essarani stated that the Sindh government was fully prepared to deal with the expected weather conditions, adding that all relevant institutions were working in coordination under an integrated disaster response mechanism to protect lives and property.
He urged citizens to follow official advisories and cooperate with authorities, noting that the province’s disaster management capacity had been strengthened in recent years, enabling departments to respond effectively to emergencies.
