CAA prepares for rain emergency

Authority chalks out plan in wake of repeated forecasts of westerly systems

KARACHI:

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has set up a rain emergency plan because of the repeated forecasts of westerly weather systems.

The authority chalked out the rain emergency plan in operational sections including the airside department in the context of the current system causing rainfall in Karachi and a new system forecast from Tuesday or Wednesday.

It has issued instructions to the fire and safety department to immediately deal with the problems faced because of the ongoing rains.

According to the current orders, all measures should be finalised in case of a rain emergency.
Instructions have been issued to move the aircraft in safe parking areas to avoid exposure to strong wind and gusts.

The CAA has also directed moving small and light weight aircraft from open areas to safe parking ones.
It has further ordered small and light aircraft to be tied up with heavy objects to protect them from strong wind as well as gusts.

According to a CAA spokesperson, the airside department is performing 24-hour duty around the runway areas.

The spokesperson added that all resources would be utilised for the convenience of passengers.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had predicted significant rainfall in Karachi on Sunday, with similar weather expected in many other parts of Sindh.

It added that the shift of westerly winds, previously affecting the northern regions of the country, was now expected to affect the southern and eastern areas, leading to another spell of rainfall.

Karachi was forecast to endure hot and humid weather conditions over the next 24 hours, with the temperature expected to hit a high of 36C.

However, the port city received mostly light to moderate rainfall with some spells of heavy thundershowers in various areas on Sunday.

The PMD has predicted another rain spell in Karachi on April 17 and 18 because of the presence of westerlies in the region.