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KARACHI: A cyclonic storm over the Arabian Sea has intensified into a severe system located about 390 kilometers south-southwest of Karachi, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Saturday, while also forecasting more rain in eastern Punjab from Oct. 5 to 7 as the province continues to grapple with flood damage.

At least 1,037 people have died in Pakistan due to heavy rains, floods and landslides during the annual monsoon season between Jun. 26 and Oct. 1, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

More than 3.6 million people were affected across 3,363 villages, with nearly 1.3 million moved to safer areas and hundreds of relief camps established in inundated districts of Punjab, the country’s agricultural heartland.

The floods largely spared southern Sindh, unlike three years ago when Pakistan lost over 1,700 lives and the province was the worst hit. However, winds and thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate rain triggered by Cyclone SHAKHTI are expected to affect

Karachi, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Jamshoro, Hub, Lasbela, Awaran and Kech districts in Sindh and Balochistan.

“Sea conditions are likely to remain rough to very rough with squally winds of 40-50 gusting 55 km/hour near the Sindh coast,” the PMD said in a statement. “Fishermen are advised not to venture into deep sea till Oct. 5.”

The cyclone is expected to move west-southwest, reaching the northwestern and adjoining central parts of the Arabian Sea by Oct. 5, before changing direction and weakening over the next 24 hours.

The PMD said winds could blow at 90 to 100 kilometers per hour, strengthening to around 110 km/h, with gusts as high as 125 km/h in the following 36 hours.

It said winds would weaken later, but the sea would remain rough to very high over the north-central Arabian Sea.

RAIN IN PUNJAB

Meanwhile, Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said rains are expected to return to the province on Oct. 5 and continue in the northern regions of Pakistan until Oct. 7.

He said the intensity of rainfall may increase on Oct. 6-7, with 50 to 70 millimeters expected in several districts of Punjab, adding that heavy rains could raise river flows to between 100,000 and 150,000 cusecs.

Punjab has been reeling from weeks of flooding that inundated farmland, destroyed crops, displaced thousands and disrupted transport and irrigation networks, leaving many rural communities struggling to recover.

Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, with scientists warning that rising temperatures are making South Asian monsoon rains heavier and more erratic.

Seasonal downpours provide up to 80 percent of the country’s annual rainfall but frequently cause widespread destruction.

The catastrophic 2022 floods submerged one-third of Pakistan, displaced 30 million people and caused economic losses exceeding $35 billion. 

RIYADH: The Riyadh International Book Fair 2025 began on Thursday at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

More than 2,000 publishing houses from over 25 countries are taking part in the two-week-long event, which is organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission.

The fair serves as a platform for publishers, writers, and cultural institutions to connect with readers and industry professionals.

Abdullatif Al-Wasel, CEO of the commission, said the event “reflects the Kingdom’s strategy to strengthen its cultural leadership regionally and globally, while also contributing to community awareness and economic growth in line with Vision 2030.”

The Saudi Institute of Public Administration has a significant presence at the event, showcasing its range of scientific, legal, and management publications.

This year, Uzbekistan is the fair’s guest of honor. Al-Wasel highlighted the country’s “significant cultural role and strong ties with the Kingdom,” noting that the partnership underscores the event’s contribution to cultural exchange.

Uzbekistan’s pavilion showcases rare manuscripts, literary works, and a cultural program that includes performances and artistic displays. The collaboration also features joint activities with the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, including stage performances and artistic exchanges.

Beyond the international showcases, local creativity is also in the spotlight. One of the standout booths this year is Qessati (My Story), an initiative founded by Saudi entrepreneur Omar Tayeb in March 2024, which creates personalized books by inserting a child’s photograph, name, hobbies and interests into an illustrated story.

“We turn them into a cartoony character inside their very own story,” Tayeb told Arab News. “The idea started when I wrote a story for my daughter, and I saw how much it changed her behavior. That’s when I realized this could be a project for every child, not just my own.”

Qessati has already produced more than 1,000 books in Arabic and English and has expanded across the Gulf and North Africa.

“Our goal is to make learning and reading an enjoyable part of a child’s daily life,” Tayeb said. “By connecting the story with the child’s identity, values, and imagination, we create something that stays with them.”

The booth also features a children’s prayer book designed with illustrated characters to help young readers memorize daily supplications.

In addition to exhibition booths, the fair offers a wide-ranging cultural program, including seminars, lectures, poetry evenings and workshops. An expanded business zone is also part of this year’s edition, aimed at strengthening the publishing sector and facilitating partnerships across the industry.

The fair is open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight, with Friday opening hours starting at 2 p.m.