DG Rangers, Sindh CM Review Evacuation and Preventive Measures in Coastal Areas
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported on Tuesday that the Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS) “BIPARJOY” over northeast Arabian Sea moved further north-northwestward and slightly weakened into Very Severe Cyclonic Storm. In response to the impending storm, the Director General (DG) Rangers Sindh, Major General Azhar Waqas, visited coastal areas in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, and Shah Bandar to review evacuation and preventive measures. The Pakistan Navy has already evacuated 700 personnel from various villages in Shah Bandar. Furthermore, the Sindh government cancelled all exams from Wednesday in the wake of the storm.
Possible Impacts of Cyclone
The tropical cyclone is likely to recurve on June 14 and move northeast, colliding between Kati Bandar (south-east Sindh) and Indian Gujarat on June 15 evening. The maximum sustained surface winds are 140-150 km/hour, gusts 170 km/hour around the system center, and sea conditions being phenomenal around the system center with a maximum wave height of 30 feet. The favorable environmental conditions (sea surface temperature of 29-31°C, low vertical wind shear, and upper-level divergence) are in support to sustain its strength through the forecast period.
With its probable approach to the southeast Sindh coast, widespread wind-dust/thunderstorm rain with some very heavy/extremely heavy falls accompanied by squally winds of 80-100Km/hour gusting 120km/hour is expected in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparker, Mirpurkhas & Umerkot districts during June 13-17. Dust/thunderstorm-rain with a few heavy falls, accompanied by squally winds of 60-80 Km/hour, is likely in Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allayar, Shaheed Benazirabad & Sanghar districts from June 14-16. Squally (high intensity) winds may cause damage to loose and vulnerable structures (Katcha houses) including solar panels etc. A storm surge of 3-3.5 meters (8-12 feet) is expected at the land falling point (Keti Bandar and around), which can inundate low-lying settlements. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the open sea until the system is over by June 17.
Preventive Measures
The Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, paid a surprise visit to Karachi to ensure the removal of billboards, neon signs, traffic sign boards, and other loose installations to avert damage or any untoward incidents during the cyclonic winds. The Commissioner of Karachi informed the Chief Minister that the estimated population to be affected during the cyclone is around 40,000, and the suspected population to be shifted to rescue points is around 5000 to 10,000 thousand. Relief camps have been set up in Lath Basti, Rehri & Dabla Para, Chashma Goth, and Ibrahim Hyderi. The evacuation process is also in progress in Thatta, Sujawal, and Badin, with the total vulnerable population of Thatta, Sujawal, and Badin being 85,022, of which 24105 have been evacuated.
Continuous Monitoring of Cyclone
The PMD’s cyclone warning center in Karachi is continuously monitoring the system and will issue updates accordingly. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), and other departments are ensuring social media feed news updates on the cyclone situation. All concerned authorities have been particularly advised to remain ‘ALERT’ during the forecast period.
