Authorities on high alert as Cyclone Biparjoy likely to hit Sindh’s coastline
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has put the authorities concerned on high alert as Cyclone Biparjoy is gaining strength and now turned into an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS), likely to affect Sindh’s coastal areas on June 13 (Tuesday).
In its update on Sunday, the NDMA said the cyclone may intensify in the next 24 hours and is likely to affect the south and south-eastern parts of Sindh on Tuesday.
It said the cyclone can cause strong winds, torrential rains and floods in coastal areas of the province.
The NDMA directed the authorities concerned to run awareness campaign in local language to inform residents of the coastal areas on weather conditions and advise them against visiting the shorelines.
“Fishermen should avoid boating in the open sea. Follow and cooperate with local authorities in emergency situation,” it added.
The NDMA said, in close coordination with PMD, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh & Balochistan, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Maritime Security Authority (PMSA), Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) it is issuing advisories and guidelines to all concerned stakeholders at national and provincial levels to undertake proactive preparedness and mitigation measures.
Earlier today, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned that a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) Biparjoy is gaining strength and has now turned into an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS) in the Arabian Sea moving northward in the last 12 hours.
The cyclone now lies near latitude 18.1°N and longitude 67.5°E at a distance of about 760 kilometres south of Karachi, 740 kilometres south of Thatta and 840 kilometres southeast of Ormara.
According to Dr Sardar Sarfaraz, the chief meteorologist of PMD, the cyclone system will maintain its northward trajectory. Maximum sustained surface winds are 150-160 kilometres per hour with gusts 180 kilometres per hour around the system centre within and sea conditions are phenomenal around the system canter with maximum wave height 35 to 40 feet
“The favourable environmental conditions (sea surface temperature of 30-32°C, low vertical wind shear and upper-level divergence) are supporting the system to maintain its intensity,” the PMD statement read.
The statement further mentioned that under the existing upper-level steering winds, the ESCS Biparjoy is most likely to track further northward until the morning of June 14, then recurve northeastward and cross between Keti Bandar (Southeast Sindh) and Indian Gujarat coast on June 15 afternoon as a VSCS. PMD’s cyclone warning centre is continuously monitoring the system and will issue updates accordingly, it added.
The weather in the port city will likely fluctuate between 35°C to 37°C, while the minimum temperature will be 29°C. However, the mercury is expected to rise up to 40°C on Monday.
At present, the level of humidity in the city’s air is at 76%, while winds are blowing at a speed of five kilometres. Overall the weather is expected to remain hot and humid in the next 24 hours.
There is a chance of rain with strong winds and thundershowers in Southeast Sindh, the Met Office said. During this time, winds can blow at a speed of 60 to 80km per hour.
Owing to the cyclone’s threat, the Karachi administration imposed a ban on entering the city’s beaches for fishing, swimming, sailing and bathing effective from today (June 11) till the “end of the storm.”
The decision was taken to avoid any untoward incident of shipwreck or drowning. However, despite the ban, people are still fishing at the beach and fishermen were also present in the sea with their boats.
Meanwhile, fishermen of Ormara have also been advised to stay away from the sea from today till June 17, while citizens have also been prohibited from picnicking near the sea, the provincial fisheries department said.