KARACHI: The government in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province has closed all schools for two days, the Sindh education department announced Tuesday, after heavy monsoon rains killed 239 people and triggered massive floods in the province. 

Sindh has reported the highest number of deaths in the South Asian country that has been hit by one of the worst monsoon seasons since mid-June. So far, 830 people have lost their lives to torrential rains and floods nationwide, according to the country’s disaster management authority. 

On Tuesday, the Met Office predicted more showers in the country over the next few days, prompting authorities in Sindh to close schools across the province. 

“All the government and private educational institutions under the administrative control of the College Education Department, Government of Sindh shall remain closed on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th August, 2022 due to rain emergency,” the Sindh education department said in a notification on Tuesday. 

Earlier, the government in southwestern Balochistan province, which has been worst hit by monsoon downpours, closed all schools from August 22 to August 27. 

Pakistan has been witnessing heaviest monsoon rains in decades that have destroyed crops on thousands of hectares, killed livestock and forced hundreds of thousands out of their homes. 

The Pakistan Meteorological Department said on Tuesday the country was likely to receive more showers from August 23 till August 26. 

After widespread destruction in the country, the European Union has announced €350,000 (Rs76 million) aid to provide crucial assistance to people affected by severe floods in Pakistan. Saudi Arabia’s KSRelief has also announced it will be sending 100 trucks, carrying 950 tons of food items, to flood-ravaged districts in the South Asian country.