Public holiday in Karachi as Cyclone Gulab triggers extreme weather warning 

Karachi: Sindh's administration has announced a public holiday in the megacity on Friday (October 1) amid the in view of extreme weather emergency caused by a tropical cyclone Gulab in the Arabian Sea.

Releasing an official notification on Thursday, Commissioner Karachi said that all provincial offices and businesses in Karachi would remain closed today.

The notification also advices general public to take precautions and remain indoors for safety.

In addition, Karachi University has canceled all examinations scheduled for today.  As per Controller Examinations, Dr. Zafar, the new dates for the examinations will be announced later.

محکمہ تعلیم نے تیز بارشون کے پیش نظر کل سندھ بھر میں تعطیل کا اعلان کر دیا

کل تمام سرکاری و پرائیویٹ اسکول اور کالجز بند رہیں گے ،وزیر تعلیم سندھ سردار شاہ@MuradAliShahPPP
@sardarshah1

— Minister Education & Literacy Dept. Govt of Sindh (@MinisterEduGoS) September 30, 2021

However, the holiday will not apply to hospitals, local bodies and compulsory service agencies. 

Meanwhile, the meteorological department has forecast moderate to heavy rains and possibly isolated heavy rains between Friday and Saturday under the influence of deep pressure in the Arabian Sea, which turned into a tropical cyclone today.

A low air pressure system could turn into a hurricane, added the Meteorological Department forecast note.

Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert in the Northeast Arabian Sea
Torrential Rains and Squally Winds along Sindh-Makran Coast
Alert-IV#CycloneGulab #Karachi.#CycloneShaheen#Sindh pic.twitter.com/rnDAv7FVgT

— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) October 1, 2021

The Met department, on Sunday, also warned fishermen not to go out to sea until October 3.

Following the situation, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has assigned the duties of overseeing relief and rescue operations to the ministers. 

Keeping in view the situation resulting from expected tropical cyclone & the rainfall, it has been decided that Friday the 1st of October will be a public holiday. All offices, educational institutions & businesses except essential services shall remain remain closed in Karachi

— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) September 30, 2021