Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has issued a stern warning to citizens to avoid unnecessary movement as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts heavy rains and a potential cyclone along the Sindh coast. The cyclone is expected to emerge by Friday morning, threatening Karachi and other coastal areas.
Mayor Wahab, through his social media handle on X, urged Karachi residents, particularly motorcyclists, to stay indoors. “It has been raining for the last three days, and heavier rainfall with strong winds is expected in the coming hours,” he stated. He advised people to remain safe and contact emergency services at 1339 if needed.
The PMD has issued an alert indicating that a deep depression over Rann of Kutch, India, has moved closer to Karachi. The system is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm as it reaches the northeast Arabian Sea. The storm is expected to bring widespread rain, wind, and thunderstorms to Karachi and other districts in lower Sindh.
The PMD has forecast heavy rainfall in Karachi, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Hyderabad, and other regions until August 31. The rains could lead to pluvial flooding in low-lying areas and flash flooding in hill torrents across Sindh, Balochistan, and southern Punjab.
The Met Office has also warned that sea conditions will be rough, with squally winds reaching up to 70 km/hour. Fishermen in Sindh and Balochistan have been advised not to venture into the sea until September 1.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has responded to the cyclone alert by instructing all relevant departments to be on high alert. Hospitals have been directed to enhance their emergency management, and the Fisheries department has been told to issue warnings to fishermen. The Irrigation department has been ordered to monitor rivers, canals, and other water channels closely.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also issued an alert, predicting heavy rain and thunderstorms in parts of Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan within the next 24 to 72 hours. The NDMA warned that rainfall could exceed 100mm in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur, potentially causing urban flooding. It urged local authorities and the public to take necessary precautions to mitigate the impacts of the storm.
The NDMA has instructed Emergency Response Teams to be on standby and mobilize resources for a swift response to any emergencies. The public is advised to remain vigilant, follow instructions from local authorities, and prepare for the possibility of severe weather in the coming days.
