By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to hit the southeast coast of Pakistan’s Sindh province and the Indian state of Gujarat on Thursday evening, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the region, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Wednesday.
The cyclone, which is moving northeast over the Arabian Sea, is about 290 kilometres (180 miles) south-southwest of Keti Bandar, a coastal town in Thatta district, and 370 kilometres (230 miles) south-southwest of Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and commercial hub, the PMD said in a statement.
The cyclone has a maximum wind speed of 150-160 kilometres per hour (93-99 miles per hour) and gusts of up to 180 kilometres per hour (112 miles per hour) at its centre, generating waves as high as 30 feet (9 metres).
The storm could cause flooding and damage to low-lying areas and vulnerable structures along the coast, especially in Thatta, Badin and Tharparkar districts, where stormy and rainy weather is likely to prevail in the next 24 hours.
The PMD advised fishermen to avoid going to sea until June 17 and warned that sea conditions along the Sindh coast could get very rough and high tides could affect coastal areas of Balochistan province as well.
In Islamabad, Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman said the cyclone’s distance from Karachi was increasing as it had veered eastwards, but it was still a threat to the coastal areas.
She said the cyclone would not make direct landfall in Karachi, but it could bring tidal waves, rainfall, and dust storms to the city.
Rehman also said that small aircraft operations from Karachi International Airport had been suspended to ensure safety.
Urging the public not to panic, the minister assured them that the authorities were remaining vigilant and implementing necessary measures.
The minister appealed to the public to stay away from coastal areas and emphasized the importance of facing this challenge with courage. Additionally, she announced that the government would soon release an advisory specifically addressing small ships.
Rehman highlighted the collaborative efforts of various state institutions, including Rangers, the Maritime Agency, and Coast Guards, in the evacuation operations along the coastal belt in response to Cyclone Biparjoy.
To accommodate those affected by the cyclone, seventy-five relief camps have been established in different schools and colleges in the potentially affected areas.
Rehman also mentioned the successful evacuation of people from the Kacha area to safer locations that took place the previous night.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif established a climate committee to proactively handle any potential emergencies arising from Cyclone Biparjoy.
In a tweet, PM Sharif stated, “I have formed a committee chaired by the Minister of Climate Change to address any potential emergency situations arising from Biparjoy.” The committee will include relevant ministers and representatives from federal and provincial institutions who will continuously monitor the storm’s developments.
PM Sharif instructed all relevant government agencies to ensure the timely rescue of people.
He further directed authorities to relocate over 50,000 individuals residing in coastal areas to safe places where they would receive clean drinking water, food, comfortable accommodation, and medical facilities until the storm subsides.
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