Cyclone: Public holiday declared in Karachi

Karachi's administration has announced a public holiday in the megacity today [Friday] due to the weather emergency caused by a tropical cyclone Shaheen in the Arabian Sea.

Issuing a notification on Thursday, Commissioner Karachi said that all government offices and businesses in Karachi will remain closed today.

"All offices, educational institutions, and businesses will remain closed except essential services, businesses and government offices engaged in rain emergency relief activities," states the notification issued by Commissioner Karachi.

"In view of the recent weather advisories issued by Pakistan Meteorological Department and Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Sindh about the anticipated tropical cylone Shaheen, Friday, October 01, 2021 is declared to be a public holiday in Karachi division."

Besides, Karachi University has also cancelled all the examinations scheduled to be held today. According to Controller Examinations Dr Zafar, the new date for the examinations will be announced later, as the Sindh government had earlier today announced the closure of all educational institutions across the province.

According to Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah, educational institutions will remain closed today due to inclement weather and heavy rains.

The Met Office has forecast moderate to heavy downpours and possible isolated heavy rains from Friday to late Saturday under the influence of deep depression over the Arabian Sea that is likely to convert into a tropical cyclone today.

The Met Office forecast “widespread rain and thunderstorms with scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall that could also turn into extremely heavy rain with squally (strong) winds in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Thaparker, Umerkot, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Nosheroferoz, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allayar, Dadu, Jamshoro, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur and Ghotki districts from Sep 30 to Oct 2 (Thursday to Saturday).”

The Met Office also cautioned fishermen not to go to the open sea till October 3 [Sunday] given “very rough” conditions in the Arabian Sea.