Cyclone Biperjoy is moving rapidly and it is a few hundred kilometers away from Keti Bandar and Karachi. However, the storm which has been categorized as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) has started changing its direction on Wednesday. According to Pakistan Metrological Department, under the existing upper-level steering winds, the VSCS Biparjoy has been tracked further northward since Wednesday morning, then it will recurve northeastward and cross between Keti Bandar (Southeast Sindh) and Indian Gujarat coast on June 15 afternoon/evening as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) with packing winds of 100-120km/hour, gusting 140 km/hour.

However, the intensity of Cyclone Biperjoy has started to decrease. The situation is not dangerous in Karachi. The storm is only 350 kilometers away from the port city.The NDMA in a Tweet said that Cyclone Biparjoy is located 300km southwest of Keti Bandar, 350 km south of Karachi and 360 km south of Thatta. The storm will pass through Keti Bandar and Indian Gujarat after staying in the north in the afternoon of June 15. There is a possibility of light and moderate rain in the city today, and heavy rains are expected during the next two days.

The cyclone is likely to make a landfall between Keti Bandar in Sindh and Kutch in Indian Gujarat tomorrow evening. While watching its current trajectory, it could be predicted that the cyclonic storm is likely to cause widespread wind/dust storms, as well as thundershowers in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparker, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot districts until Friday. These may be accompanied by squally winds of up to 120kmph. Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allayar, Shaheed Benazirabad and Sanghar are likely to be hit by similar weather, along with squally winds of 60-80kmph, between today and Thursday.

On Tuesday, three people died in Indian Gujarat and four drowned in Mumbai. Both Pakistan and India have spurred their efforts to evacuate people from their coastal areas. The NDMA said that the concerned departments are on high alert considering the progress and possible effects of Cyclone Biperjoy. The NDMA urged the people living in coastal areas to follow the instructions of the local administration. Yesterday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting to review the preparedness ahead of the possible impact of the Biparjoy cyclone. He asked the Sindh government, NDMA and other organizations to ensure the establishment of mobile hospitals in coastal areas and provide adequate emergency medical assistance there.

He said in view of the storm, special arrangements of clean drinking water and food should be made at the camps of displaced persons. The World Health Organization (WHO) also mobilized health sector partners for initiating a preparedness and response plan for Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy. According to WHO, currently, Pakistan is facing the threat of Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy, and due to the threat people living along the coastal areas in Sindh, especially are being evacuated to safer places. WHO Representative in Pakistan, Dr Palitha Mahipala chaired an Incident Management Support Team (IMST) and health sector partners meeting on Tuesday in the wake of severe cyclone Biparjoy and issued immediate directives for preparations for Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy emergency preparedness and response measures.

Rain in other parts of country

Windstorm, rain and hailstorm lashed different areas in Punjab, Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today. Dusty wind hit Lahore and rain was poured in the morning today. Gusty winds and rain also lashed Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Gujarat and Jhelum. Heavy rains pounded different areas of Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Meteorological Department has predicted more rains today. According to the PMD weather report today, Kashmir, Upper Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, East and South Balochistan and Central Sindh will witness windy/dusty winds and thundershowers and a few rains. There are chances of hailstorm too at some places. Lower Sindh is likely to experience strong gale/dusty winds and thundershowers and heavy rain at few places. There is a possibility of thunderstorms in the plain districts of the country, the PMD alerted.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP