KARACHI - Pakistan's biggest city declared a public holiday on Friday as it cleaned up from heavy flooding that killed at least 15 people and more rain was expected, officials said.

Banks and the stock market in Karachi would remain open despite the holiday declared by the provincial government.

Most of the 15 people killed in the floods on Thursday were electrocuted while some were killed in traffic accidents during heavy downpours, an emergency service official said.

"I can confirm 15 casualties in the last 24 hours but the number could be higher as many cases go unreported," said Rizwan Edhi, a senior official of the Edhi Trust, which runs the country's largest ambulance service.

Thunder storms and heavy rain hit across Sindh province but a provincial government spokesman said there were no reports of damage to crops.

"The flood situation is also under control so far," the spokesman said.

Weather officials said more rain was expected in Karachi and across southern Sindh province by Friday evening.