The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned that cyclone “Biparjoy” over the Arabian Sea was moving closer to Karachi and other parts of Sindh, prompting the concerned authorities to go on high alert.
Cyclone Biparjoy closer to Karachi: Cyclone Biparjoy over the east-central Arabian Sea has traveled further northward over the last 12 hours, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), and is presently located at a distance of around 690 kilometers south of Karachi, 670 kilometers south of Thatta, and 720 kilometers southeast of Ormara.
The advisory indicated “phenomenal sea conditions around the system canter with maximum wave height 35-40 feet” and “maximum sustained surface winds are 180-200 Km/hour gusts 220 Km/hour around the system center.”
The advice states that favorable climatic factors support the system, including upper-level divergence, minimal vertical wind shear, and sea surface temperatures between 30 and 32 degrees Celsius.
The statement continued, “Under the current upper-level steering winds, cyclone Biparjoy is most likely to track further north until June 14 morning, then turn northeastward and cross between Keti Bandar (Southeast Sindh) and the Indian Gujarat coast on June 15 afternoon as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS).”
Potential effects
The Met Office warned of widespread wind-dust-thunderstorm rain with some very heavy/extremely heavy falls and squally winds of 80-100 km/h between June 13 and June 17 in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparker, and Umerkot districts due to the cyclone’s likely approach to the southeast Sindh coast.
“Dust/thunderstorm-rain with few heavy falls and accompanied by squally winds of 60-80 Km/hour were likely in Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allayar, and Mirpurkhas districts from 13/14 June -16 June,” the advisory cautioned.
The warning noted that squally winds might harm flimsy and exposed structures. It said a storm surge of 3-3.5 meters (8-12 feet) was anticipated at the land falling point (Keti Bandar and nearby).
CAA sends a warning
Cyclone Biparjoy was getting closer to the port city earlier in the day. Thus the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a notice for Jinnah International Airport Karachi.