Cyclone Biparjoy
Karachi – The cyclone “Biparjoy” has gained further strength and is currently advancing towards the coastal region of Pakistan. The authorities have warned the public to avoid approaching the shorelines.
The authorities in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan have implemented a red alert and prohibited fishing and swimming in the coastal regions due to the persistence of the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) named “BIPARJOY” in the east-central Arabian Sea, which remains at a distance of approximately 760 kilometers from Karachi and 750 kilometers from Thatta Cyclone Biparjoy.
Under Section 144, the local government of Karachi’s southern port city has implemented a comprehensive prohibition on engaging in activities such as sailing, fishing, swimming, or bathing in open waters.
The prohibition was enforced after the issuance of a warning by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), which advised seafarers to abstain from navigating in the open sea commencing on Monday, June 12, 2023, until the cessation of the system, due to the possibility of the “Arabian Sea conditions becoming exceedingly turbulent/elevated, coupled with high tides along the coastline.”
The potential for a significant increase in tidal levels of up to 10 feet is anticipated upon the arrival of the cyclonic disturbance that has attained momentum and is approaching the coastal region. According to reports, sure fishermen disregard the cautionary advisories, and there have been sightings of a few families at the shorelines.
As per the alert released by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) at approximately 9:45 pm on Saturday, the system above was situated 840 kilometers south of Karachi, 830 kilometers south of Thatta, and 930 kilometers southeast of Ormara Cyclone Biparjoy.
As per the statement released by the Meteorological Department, the Biparjoy, a cyclonic storm of great severity located over the east-central Arabian Sea, has sustained its intensity and continued moving towards the north-northeast direction in the last 12 hours.
The object’s current location is at a latitude of 17.3°N and a longitude of 67.4°E, approximately 840 kilometers south of Karachi, 830 kilometers south of Thatta, and 930 kilometers southeast of Ormara Cyclone Biparjoy.
The PMD has notified the relevant authorities to maintain a state of heightened vigilance.
It is anticipated that the Extremely Severe Cyclone Storm (ESCS) named “BIPARJOY” will potentially make its way toward the southeast Sindh coast, resulting in extensive wind-dust/thunderstorm precipitation. Certain districts of Sindh may experience heavy to hefty rainfall between June 13-17 Cyclone Biparjoy.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), there is a likelihood of extensive wind-dust/thunderstorm rain accompanied by squally winds of 80-100Km/hour in the districts of Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparker, and Umerkot during June 13-17. This forecast is based on the probable approach of the cyclone towards the southeast Sindh coast and may result in some hefty/hefty falls Cyclone Biparjoy.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), there is a probability of dust and thunderstorm-rain in Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allayar, and Mirpurkhas districts from June 13/14 and June 16. The rainfall may include a few falls and squally winds of 60-80 Km/hour.
Loose and vulnerable structures are susceptible to damage from squally winds of high intensity. A storm surge measuring between 3 to 3.5 meters, equivalent to 8 to 12 feet, is anticipated to occur at the point of landfall, specifically in the vicinity of Keti Bandar Cyclone Biparjoy.
As per the guidance provided by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), it is recommended that fishermen should refrain from venturing into the open sea until the system subsides by June 17. This is due to the anticipated rough and high conditions of the Arabian Sea, which may be accompanied by high tides along the coast.
The tropical weather disturbance known as the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) “BIPARJOY,” located in the east-central Arabian Sea, has undergone intensification and is now classified as an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS). Over the past 12 hours, the ESCS has shifted its trajectory northward and is currently situated at approximately Latitude 18.1°N and Longitude 67.5°E. Its distance from Karachi is estimated to be around 760km to the south, 740km to the south of Thatta, and 840km southeast of Ormara Cyclone Biparjoy.
The system center exhibits maximum sustained surface winds of 150-160 Km/hour and gusts of 180 Km/hour. Additionally, sea conditions near the system center are caramel, with maximum wave heights reaching 35-40 feet.
The system’s intensity is brought by favorable environmental conditions, including a sea surface temperature range of 30-32°C, low vertical wind shear, and upper-level divergence.
Based on the current upper-level steering winds, it is probable that the ESCS “BIPARJOY” will continue to move in a northerly direction until the morning of June 14. Subsequently, it is expected to change course and move towards the northeast, ultimately crossing between Keti Bandar (Southeast Sindh) and the Indian Gujarat coast on the afternoon of June 15 as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS).
The cyclone warning center of PMD, located in Karachi, is engaged in ongoing system monitoring and will provide updates as necessary for Cyclone Biparjoy.
The Prime Minister’s Department (PMD) has advised the relevant authorities to maintain heightened awareness during this time.
— NDMA forecast —
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Pacific Disaster Centre (PDC) has reported that approximately 1.38 million individuals from Pakistan and India were subjected to the cyclone, with 305,755 individuals belonging to the vulnerable population.
According to the report, the cyclone exhibited sustained winds of 185km/h, accompanied by gusts reaching up to 232km/h.
The NDMA has advised the public to remain informed and adhere to official updates and warnings issued by pertinent authorities to safeguard themselves and their assets from any potential consequences of Tropical Cycling BIPARJOY.
As per the advisory released by the NDMA spokesperson, it has been reported that the latest data obtained through the monitoring of international forecasting models suggests that Tropical Cyclone BIPARJOY, currently classified as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS), is anticipated to escalate into an Extreme Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS) within the next 24 hours.
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According to the notification, the implementation of Section 144 will commence on June 11 and remain in effect until the storm’s conclusion. These measures aim to prevent any adverse occurrences of shipwrecks and drowning.
The relevant deputy and assistant commissioners have been granted the authority to collaborate with the corresponding Senior Superintendent of Police in Karachi to take measures against those who breach the law and to prosecute them under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.