KARACHI -UNS: Biparjoy-a very severe cyclonic storm-is likely to hit Sindh’s shores today with the local authorities bracing for “possible damage”.
The country’s coastal regions remained on high alert on Wednesday, with tens of thousands of people being evacuated to prevent the impact of the cyclone. Biparjoy is inching closer to India and Pakistan, prompting authorities to take preventive measures to minimise the damage it may cause to life and property.
The Met department’s advisory released on Wednesday night showed that Biparjoy had moved north-eastwards during the past six hours.
Taking to Twitter, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) says the cyclone is being monitored continuously and an important meeting was held at 1am on Thursday.
The cyclone will pass through Pakistan’s Keti Bandar and India’s Gujrat in afternoon.
On late Wednesday, the cyclone was about 310 kiometers south of Karachi, 300km south-southwest of Thatta and 240km south-southwest of Keti Bandar.
The cyclone is likely to reduce its strength after hitting the land, but the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has asked fishermen not to venture into the open sea until Saturday.
On Wednesday, Sindh’s Sajawal district turned more vulnerable to powerful cyclone Biparjoy after high tides triggered by gusty winds and heavy showers hit shores at Shah Bandar on Wednesday noon.
The local administration vacated several villages from Shah Bandar area after intensity of sea waves grew. Strong winds knocked electricity poles down and transportation in the area was suspended.
Thatta, Sajawal, Badin, Kotri, Matiari, Tando Allah Yar and Tando Muhammad Khan are receiving continous downpour. Huge tides are being reported along the affected coastline. There are reports that some villages in Kharo Chan have been inundated with sea water.
Catching some intensity the tropical cyclone — Biparjoy — is hardly 300 kilometres away from Karachi and 288km from Port Keti Bandar, the National Disaster Management Authority said in its latest update on Wednesday.
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz said the cyclone had moved north-northwestward during the last six hours.
