Title: Dust storm hits Karachi as Biparjoy barrels towards Sindh’s coastline
Share:
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Facebook
Description:
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has said that cyclone Biparjoy over the Arabian Sea was now 410km south of Karachi which was struck by a dust storm on Tuesday.
In its 16th advisory, the PMD stated that the cyclone had moved further north-northwestward during the last six hours and now lay at a distance of about 400km south of Thatta.
“Maximum sustained surface winds are 150-160 Km/hour gusts 180 Km/hour around the system centre and sea conditions being phenomenal around the system centre with maximum wave height 30 feet. The favourable environmental conditions (sea surface temperature of 29-30°C, low vertical wind shear & upper-level divergence) are in support to sustain its strength through the forecast period,” it said.
Under the existing upper-level steering winds, the PMD said that Biparjoy was most likely to track further northward until June 14 morning, then recurve northeastward and cross between Keti Bandar and Indian Gujarat coast on June 15 afternoon or evening as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) with packing winds of 100-120 Km/hour.
About the possible impact of the cyclone, the PMD stated that widespread wind-dust/thunderstorm rain with some very heavy/extremely heavy falls accompanied with squally winds of 80-100Km/hour gusting 120km/hour was likely in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparker, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot districts during June 13 to June 17.
It also said that dust/thunderstorm-rain with few heavy falls and accompanied with squally winds of 60-80 Km/hour was likely in Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allayar, Shaheed Benazirabad and Sanghar districts from June 14 to June 16.
The PMD predicted squally (high-intensity) winds might damage loose and vulnerable structures (mud houses). It added that a storm surge of three to 3.5 meters was expected at the land-falling point – Keti Bandar and its surrounding areas.
It advised the fishermen not to venture in open sea till the system is over by June 17.
The PMD further said that the cyclone warning centre in Karachi was continuously monitoring the system and will issue update accordingly.
According to Express News, the dust storm disrupted the traffic flow in Karachi as people were immediately heading towards their residences.
Along with strong winds, there was also light rainfall reported in a few areas of the metropolis. Due to the weather conditions, motorcyclists faced difficulties in their journey, as the fast winds caused bikes to sway with visibility reducing due to dust.
The federal and provincial departments, in collaboration with the armed forces, are on high alert as Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy approaches the coastal areas of Sindh province.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Senator Sherry Rehman on Tuesday assured the public that an early warning had been issued without creating panic, emphasising the importance of precautions and the implementation of guidelines provided by provincial governments for the public's well-being.
Senator Rehman, flanked by Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, provided a detailed briefing to the media regarding the imminent impact of Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy and the necessary measures being taken to address the natural hazard and protect the masses.
Senator Rehman emphasised the importance of conveying responsible information to the public regarding the cyclone. She highlighted that these cyclones are prone to changing their course unexpectedly, necessitating strict monitoring and continuous stocktaking to ensure adequate measures are in place to cope with any emergency situation.
NEOC Update #CycloneBiparjoy - 13 June 2023
Evacuations goingon in likely impacted areas in Keti Bandar, Badin, Sajawal by @ndmapk & @pdmasindhpk with lead help from District Administration, Pak Army & Rangers.
????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ????? ???????? ?? ????? ????. pic.twitter.com/4DcWjcied6
— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) June 13, 2023
The minister revealed that Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy had been under monitoring for several days, with information being shared through media channels to raise awareness among the local population. She noted that the cyclone had already made landfall in Gujarat, India, and was now heading towards Pakistan. While the Makran coastline would be impacted to a lesser extent, Sindh province remained under threat, she said.
Senator Rehman specified that the coastal areas of Keti Bundar, Thatta, and Badin were expected to face the brunt of the cyclone's landfall. The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) were coordinating with 16 other meteorological offices to gather data and create accurate models of the cyclone's trajectory.
The minister revealed that Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy had reached the status of a very severe cyclonic storm and was located approximately 460 kilometers south of Karachi, 450 kilometers south of Thatta, and 565 kilometers southeast of Ormara, at Latitude 20.7° N and Longitude 67.1° E. It was predicted to make landfall on Thursday, June 15, with high-risk areas including Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, and Umerkot between June 13 and 17.
The NDMA later issued an update, saying the cyclone was located 440km south of Karachi and 430km south of Thatta. The progress of the storm will further clarify its potential impact, it added in a Twitter post.
????? ? ????? ?????????? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ?? 440 ??????? ???? ????? ?? 430 ??????? ???? ??? ????? ??. ????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ???? ????? ???? ????? ????.https://t.co/TBWt0ziBw5#BiparjoyCyclone
Source: PDC, Zoom Earth, Windy pic.twitter.com/g0l7ONCvr5
— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) June 13, 2023
She further added that from June 14 to 16, the districts of Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allayar, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Sanghar could expect dust, thunderstorms, and rainfall, with heavy downpours and gusty winds (60-80 km/h).
Senator Rehman highlighted that Sindh province had already been severely impacted by the floods of 2022 and was now facing another extreme cyclonic storm. She urged relevant departments to follow the provided advisories and requested residents of the sea view Karachi to voluntarily evacuate, with strict instructions for fishermen to refrain from venturing into the open sea during the forecasted period.
The minister cautioned that heavy rainfall and strong winds could cause damage to weak infrastructure such as mud houses, solar panels, billboards, and electric poles. She particularly urged the elderly to avoid close contact with fragile infrastructure, such as glass windows and billboards, to prevent any potential injuries.
Evacuations
Regarding population evacuation, Senator Rehman mentioned that efforts were being made to evacuate residents from high-risk and vulnerable areas with weak infrastructure. Mandatory evacuation had already been implemented in the Keti Bunder area.
Considering the weather conditions and projected strong winds, the government planned to provide regular updates to the media and the public regarding flight schedules on June 14.
The minister informed that all government officials and staff vacations had been canceled, and hospitals were placed on high alert. Approximately 25,000 evacuations had already taken place, with more expected in the coming days.
Senator Rehman announced that the Ministry of Climate Change would request funds from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to support the affected areas in Sindh. She also mentioned that all departments were alert and holding coordination meetings every three hours, with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visiting the vulnerable areas.
FM @sherryrehman & Cn NDMA LtG Inam Haider Malik jointly chaired an update meeting with stakeholders on #CycloneBiparjoy @NEOC. pic.twitter.com/tNLvEapskG
— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) June 13, 2023
The minister urged the authorities to refill deep excavations in some areas of Karachi to prevent any potential disasters. She shared helpline numbers of control rooms established to assist cyclone-affected individuals, including Control Room South Karachi (021-99205628), Korangi (021-99333926), Kemari (021-99333176), Malir (021-99249916), Badin (029-7920013), and Sujawal (029-8510833).
Speaking on the occasion, NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik explained that the cyclone outlook presented was based on technical and satellite data from various institutions reporting climate, weather, and hurricane situations.
The NDMA had issued early warnings and advisories based on the Pakistan Meteorological Department's forecasts of heatwaves triggering glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in the north and oceanic storms or cyclones due to extreme heatwave onset.
Lt Gen Malik stated that the NDMA had been monitoring Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy since June 5, and its latest trajectory would be confirmed on Wednesday morning. He noted that the cyclone's direction was bending towards the north and northeast, and its intensity had increased from severe to a very severe cyclonic emergency.
The NDMA chairman informed the media that the cyclone was expected to make landfall in Keti Bunder and Indian Gujarat by the afternoon of June 15, impacting the south and southeastern parts of Sindh and adjoining areas.
He assured that the Keti Bunder coastline and surrounding areas had been alerted, and security forces, law enforcement agencies, provincial departments, and volunteers were engaged in shifting the population to safer places. Evacuated individuals would remain in relief shelters until the situation normalised, as strong windstorms and rains were expected.
He added that volunteers and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who had previously assisted during the post-2022 floods would be involved in the evacuation process. Approximately 100,000 people were targeted for evacuation, with completion expected by early June 15. The government of Sindh and other development agencies were working closely with the NDMA for relief activities.
When asked about funding, Senator Rehman clarified that while the National Council on Climate Change did not have the authority to decide budget allocations, the Climate Change Ministry could request funds from the finance minister and the Prime Minister for Sindh and Balochistan.
She mentioned that various international centers, including the Asia Pacific Center in Bangkok and NASA, were providing weather data and models to Pakistan, and coordination with India was not required in this domain.
Lt Gen Malik stated that the initial focus of the NDMA was on providing shelter and rations to affected people, with proper data on the evacuated population being maintained.
As the cyclone approaches, it is crucial for the authorities to continue monitoring the situation closely and take necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected population. The government's prompt response, coordination among agencies, and early warning systems will be critical in mitigating the potential impact of Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy.
Evacuation from Sindh’s coastal belt continues
Thousands of families are still stuck in Sindh’s coastal belt despite warnings given to them by the authorities since yesterday.
Panic gripped the residents of Badin, Sujawal, Thatta and Karachi’s Rehri Goth and adjacent areas. Since Monday, the authorities have been ‘convincing’ families living near the coast to move out to camps set up by them.
The majority refused to leave their residences, while authorities claimed on Tuesday morning that they evacuated the most vulnerable people living in the ‘red zone’.
It is still unclear how many people are under direct impact of the cyclone Biparjoy which according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) could hit these districts on Thursday.
Read Authorities on high alert as cyclone nears Sindh’s coastline
Officials have also warned that rain is expected today afternoon in coastal areas.
According to Sindh Chief Minister House, out of 40,800, over 6,000 people have been shifted to safer locations. CM Murad Ali Shah said that the Sindh administration would also continue to transfer the people of the Thatta, Badin, and Sajawal districts.
He stated that local residents did not want to leave their homes but there was no option but to shift them to a safer place. He appealed to the people to cooperate with the administration in the relocation process.
Badin
“We have not left our village yet,” said Mumtaz Ali, a resident of Golo Mandhro, the village which was completely destroyed in the 1999 cyclone.
“We cannot go to camps which lack all facilities,” he explained.
Ali said that a camp has been set up near his village. “Is there any logic to leaving our home and staying in the school which is not far away from our home,” he said.
At least eight relief camps have been established in Badin districts where roughly 4,000 people are currently staying. All camps have been set up in government schools.
Badin Deputy Commissioner Agha Shah Nawaz Khan told The Express Tribune that all the communities living near the coast have been shifted.
“A few families refused to leave but we will bring them to the camps. We want their safety,” he said.
Read More Sindh drafts in army for cyclone evacuations
Khan said that: “It is not 1999. It's 2023. We have informed them to move out. All measures have been taken. We will not leave people to face the threats of the disaster,” he said.
He said that since Monday morning, the evacuation process has continued.
Sujawal
Relief camps have also been set up in Sujawal and its main towns.
Phull Shaikh, a resident of Ramzan Malla near Zero Point told The Express Tribune that about 3,000 people from the area left their houses late Monday night soon after the waters entered their villages.
“It was like a nightmare. Most of our houses have been inundated,” Shaikh said. He also claimed that thousands of people were stuck and waiting for help.
Thatta
Thatta’s Keti Bunder, Kharo Chhan and adjacent areas have almost been evacuated.
“The families are still moving to Bhagan, Gharo and Karachi,” Umer, a captain of the boat informed The Express Tribune.
“I see the situation is normal but the authorities claim it will hit these areas,” he commented. He said that over a dozen fishermen were staying back and will not leave the area.
Bilawal urges for precautions
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has appealed to the public to take protective measures and to cooperate with the administration in view of the cyclone.
According to a statement issued by Media Cell Bilawal House, the PPP chairman said that according to meteorological reports, the coastal areas of Karachi, Thatta, Sujawal and Badin are under threat of Biparjoy.
He said that the government of Sindh is alert in view of the cyclone and is taking all possible safety measures, adding that all possible resources are being utilised to protect the life and property of the people.
Bilawal said that the people, especially those living in the coastal areas, should cooperate with the administration and move to safer places without delay. He emphasised that citizens living in old and dilapidated buildings should also be shifted to safer places on emergency basis.
He also appealed to the fishermen not to go into the open sea for the next few days until the weather returns to normal. “Travelling during rainstorms should be avoided, as taking all precautionary measures is the only way to avoid the potential damage of a natural calamity,” he added.
Bilawal also instructed his party’s office-bearers and workers to lend a helping hand to the administration in rescue and relief activities, while the lawmakers of the party from the coastal areas should remain in their respective constituencies and stay in touch with the people. “PPP is always with the people, be it happy moments or difficult times,” he added.
He prayed, “May Allah Almighty protect every nook and corner of Pakistan and every Pakistani from natural calamities and keep them safe.”
Seven die in India
At least seven people were killed in India as it began evacuating people from coastal areas, two days before a cyclone is expected to make landfall.
Classified as a very severe cyclonic storm, Biparjoy is expected to land around Thursday evening between Mandvi in India's Gujarat province.
Meteorologists predict maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 km (78-84 miles) per hour, gusting to 150 km (93 miles) per hour.
"Four boys drowned at Juhu beach on Monday evening. So far, we have found the bodies of two, and the search is still ongoing to locate the remaining two," said a police official in Mumbai, south of Gujarat.
High waves in the Arabian Sea, accompanied by heavy rains and gusting winds pounded Gujarat's coastal areas, uprooting trees and resulting in a wall collapse that killed three people in Kutch and Rajkot districts, authorities said.
Eight districts in coastal Gujarat are expected to be affected, the state government said. Fishing has been suspended until Friday and schools have declared holidays.
Gujarat is home to many offshore oil installations and major ports in the country and most have been forced to suspend operations.
A 1998 cyclone killed at least 4,000 people and caused hundreds of millions of dollars of damage in Gujarat.
Relief Commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey said that more than 20,500 people have been evacuated from coastal districts and the evacuation was expected to be completed by Tuesday evening.
Two of India's largest ports, Kandla and Mundra, have suspended operations, the state government said. Other ports, including Bedi, Navlakhi, Porbandar, Okha, Pipavav and Bhavnagar, have also closed due to the cyclone, according to shipping sources.
Reliance Industries (RELI.NS), which operates the world's largest refining complex in Gujarat's Jamnagar, declared a force majeure, suspending exports of diesel and other oil products from Gujarat's Sikka port, traders said.
The Adani conglomerate's ports business, Adani Ports (APSE.NS), said it suspended vessel operations on Monday at Mundra, India's biggest commercial port that has the country's largest coal import terminal, and also at Tuna port near Kandla.
The Indian Coast Guard said it evacuated 50 personnel from a jack-up oil rig off Gujarat's coast named Key Singapore, which is owned by Dubai-based Shelf Drilling (SHLF.OL) and currently working for Cairn Oil & Gas (Vedanta Ltd.) (VDAN.NS), according to Shelf Drilling's website.
(With input from APP and Reuters)
Published Date: 13-Jun-2023
Share:
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Facebook
