Sindh extends school closure as rain continues in Karachi

NDMA warns more than 50 to 100 millimetres of rain could fall in a short span of time

KARACHI:

Educational institutions across Karachi will remain closed on Thursday due to heavy rains that have disrupted daily life in the city, the Sindh education department said in a notification.

The closure applies to all public and private schools and colleges. “In view of the weather and city situation, all educational institutions in Karachi will remain shut tomorrow,” the department said in a statement.

Separately, Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) announced that it would remain closed on August 21 due to the prevailing weather conditions. However, online classes and academic activities would continue as scheduled. “All examinations have been postponed until further notice. Online classes will be supervised by the university leadership,” a spokesperson said.

بارشوں کے پیش نظر کل بروز جمعرات کراچی ڈویژن کے اسکولز اور کالیجز بند رہیں گے ،وزیر تعلیم سندھ سردار شاہ

— Minister Education & Literacy Government of Sindh (@MinisterEduGos) August 20, 2025

In the wake of the city’s current rain emergency, the Sindh government had already declared a public holiday and ordered the closure of all educational institutions in Karachi on 20 August.

A second spell of rain hit Karachi on Wednesday as the city reeled from record monsoon downpours a day earlier that left at least 16 people dead, inundated neighbourhoods, disrupted power supply and damaged roads.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) Emergency Operations Centre warned of extremely heavy rainfall in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur and adjoining areas.

Read More: NDMA puts Karachi on flood alert as heavy rains pound city again

According to the statement, more than 50 to 100 millimetres of rain could fall in a short span of time. Owing to intense rainfall and inadequate drainage, the risk of urban flooding remains high in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Mirpurkhas.

Flash floods are also feared in Thatta, Badin, Jamshoro and Dadu districts, while rising water levels in the Indus River and its tributaries could trigger flooding in low-lying areas.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported the heaviest rainfall in Saadi Town (181.8 mm) and Gulshan-e-Hadeed (181 mm). Other significant totals were logged in 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).