KARACHI – All government and private offices, including educational institutions, will open for half-day on Friday (March 1) in Karachi, newly-elected Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced a rain emergency in the metorpolitan.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) informed that a strong westerly wave is likely to approach western parts on February 29 and may grip most parts of the country on 01st March, and persist till 02nd March.
Under the influence of this weather system, it said rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Khairpur and Mirpurkhas on 29th Feb & 01st March.
Isolated hailstorm is also likely during the period, it added.
The decision regarding half-day was taken in a meeting chaired by the chief minister to discuss the possible impact of rains.
DG PDMA Salman Shah informed the meeting that the city is expected to receive rainfall between 16 to 32 mm within a 12-hour period on March 1.
The chief minister has instructed all authorities concerned to take measures to avoid any untoward situation.
