KARACHI: As Karachi is bracing for heavy showers from Monday under a new weather system, the city administration has declared a “rain emergency” for all local government institutions to tackle the upcoming challenge.

The Met Office issued a forecast of heavy rains due to a weather system developing in West Bengal and said that it was likely to move westwards during the next couple of days. Under its influence, heavy rains and urban flooding are expected from Monday to Thursday.

Chairing a meeting of heads of all relevant institutions on Saturday, City Mayor Murtaza Wahab asked them to be on their toes following a forecast from the Met office that predicted moderate to heavy rains in Karachi and other parts of Sindh between August 26 and 29.

The mayor at the same time declared rain emergency to deal with the post-rain situation in the metropolis.

He also issued instructions to the municipal services of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and suspended leaves of all staffers concerned to cope with the expected rains.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) urged all relevant authorities and the public to take necessary precautions to mitigate the potential impacts of flooding and heavy rains.

The NDMA issued instructions to all relevant departments to alert Emergency Response Teams and mobilise resources to ensure a swift response to any arising situations. “The public is advised to remain vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities.”

Earlier on Friday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had issued a forecast for torrential rains, especially in the southern region, from August 25 to 29.

In an advisory issued on Friday, the PMD said a low-pressure weather system, currently located over West Bengal, is likely to move westwards during the next couple of days and may reach the country’s southern coasts by Aug 25.

Under the influence of this weather system, strong monsoon currents could result in rainfall, wind and thundershowers in Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Shaheed Benazirabad, Jamshoro, Tando Allahyar, Tando Mohammad Khan, Tharparkar, Nagarparkar, Mithi, Mirpurkhas, Umarkot, Matiari, Sanghar, Sukkur, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Khairpur, Larkana, Jacobabad and Naushahro Feroze from Aug 25 to 29 with occasional gaps.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2024