KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning to authorities in Sindh and Balochistan as Cyclone Biparjoy, a “very severe” cyclonic storm, is rapidly approaching the Arabian Sea coast.
The cyclone, which was initially not expected to pose a threat to Pakistan, has changed its course and is now heading towards the coastal areas. As of the latest update, it is situated approximately 910 kilometers south of Karachi.
The PMD has advised the provincial disaster management authorities in Sindh and Balochistan to be prepared and ensure the safety of communities in coastal areas. Fishermen have also been cautioned against venturing into the sea. The cyclone’s location has been tracked to latitude 16.7°N and longitude 66.4°E, with distances from various coastal cities specified as approximately 910km south of Karachi, 890km south of Thatta, and 990km southeast of Ormara.
Environmental Conditions to Intensify Cyclone
The favorable environmental conditions, including a sea surface temperature of 30-32°C, low vertical wind shear, and upper-level divergence, are expected to further intensify the cyclonic system. The maximum sustained surface winds are currently recorded at 120-130km/h, with gusts of 150km/h near the center of the storm.
The Met department has also warned fishermen to avoid the open sea starting from June 11, as the sea conditions are expected to become very rough with high tides along the coast. The final track forecast for the cyclone remains uncertain, with some global models indicating a trajectory towards the Makran-North Oman coast and others towards the Indian Gujarat-Sindh coast.
If the cyclone takes its probable north-northeast track, the Sindh-Makran coast can expect rain, thunderstorms, heavy falls, and squally winds from the evening/night of June 13 onwards. The PMD has emphasized that the squally winds may cause damage to loose and vulnerable structures. The sea conditions around the cyclone center are reported to be very high, with maximum wave heights reaching 25-28 feet.
The National Disaster Management Authority has shared a possible development path for the cyclone, highlighting that the situation is still evolving, and further updates will be provided accordingly. Local authorities, including the Karachi Commissioner’s office, have imposed a ban on coastal activities, such as sailing, fishing, swimming, or bathing within the territorial limits of Karachi Division, starting from June 11. Non-compliance with the ban may result in legal consequences under relevant sections of the law.
NEOC Update: Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) #BIPARJOY status.
Development path based on intl weather models is for proactive measures against likely impacts. It's an evolving situation& impact will only be certain with further development of sys.
Source: Zoom Earth pic.twitter.com/BUzpxyRxJU— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) June 10, 2023
As Cyclone Biparjoy approaches Karachi, residents are advised to stay alert, take necessary precautions, and remain indoors during the expected impact period between June 13 and 16. The PMD’s cyclone warning center in Karachi is closely monitoring the system and will continue to issue updates as the situation unfolds.
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Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warns that Biparjoy's cyclone could impact the coastal areas of Sindh, Markan, and Balochistan. Currently, it lies at a distance of 1120km South of Karachi. pic.twitter.com/YEE5I6svMs— DHA Karachi Official (@DHAKarachiOfc) June 9, 2023
