Public holiday announced after heavy rain wreaks havoc in Karachi
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has announced a public holiday in Karachi for Wednesday following heavy rainfall. The announcement came after an emergency meeting at the CM House on Tuesday, where the worsening situation was reviewed.
Shah urged citizens to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel, warning that more rain is expected and the holiday aims to protect the public from further hardship.
Sindh Chief Minister @MuradAliShahPPP has declared a public holiday in Karachi on August 20 following record monsoon rains that battered the city. He urged citizens to stay indoors as more rainfall is expected.
The decision came during an emergency meeting at the CM House,… pic.twitter.com/jrpQVZVYQG
— Sindh Information Department (@sindhinfodepart) August 19, 2025
According to a statement from the CM House, Karachi received a staggering 245 millimetres of rain in just 12 hours. The torrential rain led to extensive urban flooding, paralysing the traffic system and straining the city’s infrastructure.
Officials briefed the meeting that while several major roads remain flooded, drainage efforts are underway. Stormwater drains are actively discharging rainwater, and some major arteries have been partially cleared, but challenges persist.