Cyclone Kyarr: Mayor Karachi declares emergency

Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar has declared emergency in the city in the wake of Cyclone Kyarr threat in Karachi.

According to details, Mayor Karachi has issued directives to different department including fire brigade, municipal services, city wardens, rescue and hospitals to remain on-duty and vigilant to deal with any unforeseen situation that may arise due to the Cyclone Kyarr.

Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar has cautioned citizens to avoid going to the Hawks Bay in the wake of the natural calamity, and the citizens who are already there should immediately evacuate the Hawks bay and get away from the sea.

Water and Sewerage Board and K Electric have also been issued instructions to take safety measures.

Citizens have been issued strict instructions to avoid standing near hoardings boards and also, to stay away from power poles, while municipal services staff should be prepared with machinery for drainage in case of rain.

On the other hand, spokesperson Electric said that citizens should stay away from broken wires, electric poles and PMTs and take special care of children in the rain and take caution as electrical appliances which can cause accidents.

Also read: Cyclone ‘Kyarr’ hits Karachi’s coastlines

Earlier today, Pakistan Meteorological Department issued alert saying that a very severe cyclonic storm, ‘Kyarr’, is developing over the east-central Arabian Sea and has rapidly intensified into a super cyclonic storm during the past 12 hours.

According to a report, close to 185 houses have been affected and more than 500 people have been evacuated so far as the rising water started entering Ibrahim Hyderi.

“The system lay centered at 0800 PST of 27th October with maximum sustained surface winds of 230-240kmh gusting 260kmh, at about 850km south of Karachi and 1,500km east of Salalah,”  said the cyclone advisory issued by the Met Office.