Karachi weather forecast: Schools to remain closed on Friday

KARACHI: Authorities announced closure of all schools across Karachi on Thursday night due to looming threat of a cyclone, as the weather forecast predicts heavy rain impacting the city’s 20 million residents.

Read more: Met Office warns heavy rains as cyclone storm to hit Sindh coast tonight

The city’s commissioner revealed the closure late Thursday night after reportedly consulting with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

Karachi and other regions across Sindh have been battered with relentless rain, with more showers expected in coming hours. The Met Office stated that a strong monsoon system near Tharparkar and Rann of Kutch in India could intensify and bring more rains towards Karachi.

Karachi has already received 55 mililitre (mm) of rain on Wednesday, and weather forecast predicts an additional 150 mm to 200 mm over the next three days.

The 20-million-strong city is expected to experience more onslaught of thunderstorms and even potentially a cyclone in coming hours. Fears of cyclone – dubbed Asna – in Karachi and surrounding regions grew as authorities and experts warned of unusual activity at sea.

A PMD employee noted that a strong weather system about 270 kilometre northeast of Karachi is expected to strengthen. This has the potential to form a cyclonic storm.

The weather pattern is expected to last almost two days, while cyclonic storms in the Arabian Sea might last up to four days.

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The Met Office warned of heavy rains leading to urban flooding, and even flash floods in local areas. There is also threat of pluvial floods in low-lying regions.

Authorities warned residents to stay in-doors and avoid unnecessary travel. The weather is being “closely monitored” with officials promising updates as needed.