KARACHI: All public and private schools in Karachi will remain closed tomorrow (Wednesday) due to heavy rains that have paralysed the city, Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah announced on Tuesday night.
The education department also said that all government and private colleges will be shut, while the Technical Board has postponed exams scheduled for Wednesday.
Similarly, Lyari University declared a holiday.
— Board Of Intermediate Education Karachi (@BiekOfficial) August 19, 2025
The decision came in the wake of relentless downpours that submerged large parts of the city, leaving roads under water and vehicles stranded.
The city received record-breaking rainfall, with 212mm recorded in Gulistan-e-Johar alone, followed by 207mm in Korangi, 203mm in Gulshan-e-Rumi and 200mm in Gulshan-e-Hadeed.
Schoolchildren stranded
In several areas, schoolchildren were unable to return home even late into the night after setting out in the morning.
Parents expressed deep concern on social media over their children’s safety.
Many complained they had no information about their whereabouts as vans were stuck or drivers became unreachable.
All Private Schools Management Association Sindh urged the Karachi mayor to immediately address the critical drainage issues, as thousands of residents, including schoolchildren and school staff, are suffering due to severe water accumulation and impaired accessibility.
One user wrote on Facebook: “My sister’s children reached home after seven hours in miserable condition. Karachi has drowned again. Just 125mm of rain has paralysed the city. Despite forecasts, drains were not cleaned.”
Another user lamented: “Thousands are stranded on roads and millions are without electricity. But the bigger tragedy is that many schoolgirls have still not reached home. Parents are helpless as van drivers’ phones are switched off and no one knows where their children are.”
At least six killed
At least six people, including children and women, lost their lives in rain-related incidents on Tuesday as torrential downpours battered Karachi, submerging large parts of the city and plunging neighbourhoods into darkness.
In Gulistan-e-Johar, a house wall collapsed in Block 12, killing two children and two women, while another person was injured.
The deceased were identified as four-year-old Maryam, three-year-old Hamza, and 24-year-old Samia.
In Orangi Town, an eight-year-old boy, Abdullah, died after receiving an electric shock near Aqsa mosque, while another man was electrocuted in North Karachi.
In a separate incident at Dabba Mor, two labourers were injured when a roof collapsed.
Rescue officials said the incidents were triggered by the downpour, which weakened old structures across the city.
Heavy rains also led to multiple cases of vehicles skidding into drains in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Johar and along Shahrah-e-Faisal.