Karachiites warned against 'unnecessary movement' amid cyclonic storm prediction

Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab urged the residents of Karachi to stay at home and avoid unnecessary movement during the prediction of torrential rain in the port city.

The Pakistan Meteorologist Department (PMD) said that a deep depression over the Rann of Kutch, India, is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm.

"The system now lies at approximately 245 kilometres southeast of Karachi."

Under its influence, widespread rain/wind-thunderstorms with scattered heavy/very heavy and isolated extremely heavy falls are expected in Tharparker, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad, TM Khan, TA Yar, Matiari, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad and Karachi till August 31.

As per the forecast, the current monsoon system will also hit Punjab and Balochistan, where heavy and torrential rains are anticipated to lash the provinces.

“Sea conditions are likely to remain very rough with squally winds 50-60 km/hour gusting 70 km/hour,” the advisory said.

The alert also advised the fishermen of Sindh not to venture into sea till 31 August and those of Balochistan till 1st September.

Following the forecast, Wahab took to X to warn the citizens against unnecessary movement during rainfall.

"I would urge the residents of Karachi especially bike riders to avoid unnecessary movement. Stay safe everyone & in case of any emergency call 1339," he wrote.

A day earlier, heavy rain lashed different parts of the metropolis, causing urban flooding in several areas.