Declaring rain emergency in the province, the Sindh government announced that offices in Karachi will only open for half day on Friday (tomorrow).

The decision was taken in a meeting presided over by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui said in a post on X.

“Though preparations have been made, as a matter of abundant precaution, it has been decided in meeting presided by CM that tomorrow will be a half day for offices in Karachi division from 2pm,” the mayor said in the post.

“Citizens are requested to also avoid unnecessary movement to avoid any inconvenience,” Wahab added.

The mayor further said the Sindh CM had convened a meeting to overview rain preparations early Thursday morning.

“Climate change is a reality. February or March were not known for rainfall in Karachi. KMC has already declared rain emergency & machinery is being deployed for clearing different choking points,” Wahab posted.

Later, a notification in this regard was also issued by the Sindh government, which made it applicable for all offices, autonomous, semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, and local councils in the Karachi Division. The notification does not apply to those engaged in essential services and involved in rain emergency duties.

The half-day on Friday notification is also applicable to private sector organisations as well.

Earlier this week the Met Office had forecast rains with a thunderstorm for Friday in the port city.

It said that over the last couple of days, the strong northeasterly-easterly winds brought back chilly weather to Karachi, blowing dust all around.

Rains are also expected in Jamshoro, Thatta, Tharparker, Badin, Umerkot, Mirpur Khas, Hyderabad, T A Yar, T M Khan, Nosheroferoz, Shaheed Benazirabad Districts.