Karachi: The NDMA has alerted authorities as Cyclone Biparjoy strengthens and becomes an ESCS. It is projected to hit Sindh’s coastal areas on Tuesday, June 13.
The NDMA reported on Sunday that the cyclone may intensify in the next 24 hours. It may affect south and south-eastern Sindh on Tuesday.
In coastal sections of the province, the cyclone can cause severe winds, torrential rainfall, and flooding.
The NDMA ordered authorities to undertake local language awareness campaigns to warn coastal communities about weather conditions and discourage beachgoing.
“Fishermen should avoid open-sea boating. In emergencies, collaborate with local authorities,” it added.
In close coordination with PMD, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh & Balochistan, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Maritime Security Authority (PMSA), and Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG), the NDMA is issuing advisories and guidelines to all concerned stakeholders at national and provincial levels to take proactive preparedness and mitigation measures.
The PMD warned earlier today that VSCS Biparjoy is strengthening. It has become an ESCS in the Arabian Sea heading northward in the last 12 hours.
The cyclone is 760 km south of Karachi, 740 south of Thatta, and 840 southeast of Ormara at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 67.5°E.
Moreover, PMD head meteorologist Dr. Sardar Sarfaraz predicts the cyclone system will continue northward. While, Around the system center, maximum sustained surface winds are 150-160 kilometres per hour with gusts 180 kilometres per hour, and sea conditions are excellent with maximum wave height 35–40 feet.
Environmental conditions
“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 said.
Under the current upper-level steering winds, ESCS Biparjoy is likely to track northward until June 14, then recurve northeastward and cross between Keti Bandar (Southeast Sindh) and the Indian Gujarat coast on June 15 afternoon as a VSCS. It stated that PMD’s cyclone warning centre monitors the system and adjusts accordingly.
The port city’s minimum temperature will be 29°C, with 35°C to 37°C expected. Monday will reach 40°C.
The city’s air has 76% humidity and five-kilometer-per-hour winds. The next day will be hot and humid.
The Met Office predicted high gusts and thundershowers in Southeast Sindh. Winds can reach 60–80km/h during this time.
The Karachi administration banned fishing, swimming, sailing, and bathing on the city’s beaches from June 11 to the “end of the storm” due to the cyclone’s threat.
Avoiding shipwreck or drowning was the reason. Despite the ban, beachgoers and boaters were fishing.
The provincial fisheries agency instructed Ormara fishermen to stay away from the sea from now to June 17 and forbid civilians from picnicking near the shore.
