KARACHI: Educational institutions across Karachi will remain closed on Thursday as heavy monsoon rains continue to batter the city, according to a notification issued by the Sindh Education Department.
The closure order applies to all public and private schools and colleges. “Given the prevailing weather conditions and the situation in the city, all educational institutions in Karachi will stay shut tomorrow,” the department confirmed.
Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) also announced a suspension of on-campus activities for August 21. However, the university clarified that online classes would proceed as planned under faculty supervision. Examinations scheduled for this week have been postponed until new dates are announced.
Earlier, the Sindh government had already declared August 20 a public holiday, citing the city’s rain emergency.
The latest spell of rain, which began on Wednesday, followed record-breaking downpours a day earlier that left at least 16 people dead, crippled road networks, cut off electricity in several areas, and submerged neighborhoods.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a fresh warning, predicting more intense showers in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, and adjoining districts. According to its advisory, 50–100 millimeters of rain could fall within a few hours, posing serious urban flooding risks.
Flash flooding is feared in Thatta, Badin, Jamshoro, and Dadu, while swelling levels in the Indus River may cause inundation in low-lying regions.
Data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) shows that Saadi Town (181.8 mm) and Gulshan-e-Hadeed (181 mm) recorded the highest rainfall totals. Other hard-hit areas include Nazimabad (175.6 mm), Keamari (173 mm), Surjani Town (163.8 mm), Airport Old Area (163.5 mm), Jinnah Terminal (156.4 mm), University Road (149.4 mm), North Karachi (148.8 mm), Korangi (143.3 mm), DHA Phase VII (138 mm), Gulshan-e-Maymar (135.6 mm), PAF Faisal Base (134 mm), PAF Masroor Base (112 mm) and Orangi Town (82.7 mm).
