Rain emergency has been declared in Karachi as several parts of the country are in the grip of unpredictable weather.  The situation is dire at many places. In Lahore, light rain was reported in Gulberg, Lahore Cantonment, Lakshmi Chowk, and on Mall Road. Johar Town, Defence, Canal Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Wahdat Road and surrounding areas also witnessed rainfall. The cascade of rain extends beyond Lahore, with cities in Punjab such as Kasur, Muridke, Phoolnagar, Sharaqpur, and Jhang experiencing downpour. Tragically, the heavy rains proved fatal for three people in Kamalia where a dilapidated house collapsed. Another incident in Kharan resulted in the loss of three lives, two children among them.  Anticipating a spell of heavy rains in the afternoon, Karachi's metropolitan city is on high alert. Malir, Airport, Gulshan Hadeed, and Gadap are expected to experience hailstorms, leading the city administration to impose a rain emergency. Consequently, scheduled examinations at the Karachi University have been postponed, and evening shift schools are closed. Government and private offices will observe a half-day of duty.

To manage the crisis, a rain emergency cell has been established at the Chief Minister's house which will be operational 24/7. Gwadar, already grappling with a dire situation, is now experiencing another spell of heavy rain accompanied by winds and thunder. The drainage system and rescue infrastructure have been severely affected, forcing residents to relocate to safe places. In Sibbi and its adjacent areas, heavy rains persisted for 14 hours, causing a significant increase in the water levels of rivers and canals. The irrigation department has issued a high alert, instructing emergency rescue teams to remain active and ready to counter any unfortunate situation. Northern mountainous areas, including Azad Kashmir, are witnessing intermittent rain and snowfall, leading to a drop in temperatures. However, the possibility of highways blockades due to snowfall and landslides looms large. As the country grapples with the unprecedented weather conditions, citizens are urged to exercise caution, and emergency services are on high alert to respond to any further developments.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)