Federal Minister for Climate Change, Sherry Rehman Tuesday warned of urban flooding and strong windstorm in Karachi amid cyclone Biparjoy. Taking to here Twitter handle, she said: “Biparjoy Cyclone is real. Without panicking, people need to take PDMA Sindh and PDMA Balochistan advisories seriously for the coastal areas. Sherry Rehman further stated that though intensity of cyclone has reduced for Balochistan side but unpredictable so please do not take it casually. “It is varying in intensity but caution is crucial, esp near the Sindh coast. Karachi will likely face urban flooding given the scale & intensity of winds. Precautionary evacuations in Seaview areas have begun. We will keep you updated,” she added.

With its probable approach to the southeast Sindh coast, widespread wind-dust/thunderstorm rain with some very heavy/extremely heavy falls accompanied by squally (high intensity) winds of 80-100Km/hour gusting 120km/hour likely in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparker, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot districts from today to 17 June. Dust/thunderstorm-rain with few heavy falls and accompanied squally winds of 60-80 Km/hour likely in Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Shaheed Benazirabad and Sanghar districts from 14 June (tomorrow) to 16 June.

High-intensity winds may cause damage to vulnerable structures, katcha houses, solar panels, billboards etc. Storm surge of 3-3.5 meters (8-12 feet) expected at the land falling point (Keti Bandar and around), which can inundate the low-lying settlements. Fishermen have been advised not to venture in open sea till the cyclonic system is over by 17 June, as the Arabian Sea conditions may get very rough accompanied with high tides along the coast.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP