Cyclone Biparjoy’s Landfall
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman said that cyclone Biparjoy had “slowed down” and it landfall will not be possible before nightfall.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday, Senator Sherry Rehman said that earlier the cyclone was supposed to hit the shore around 11:00am today.
“But, since the speed at which it is moving has slowed by 6-7km, its times of landfall is now expected after dusk,” she added.
PPP’s Senator and Minister said that the Cyclone Biparjoy had “slowed down”, its core was still “intense”. She said that the people and relief teams must stay alert in the vulnerable areas.
“We had earlier marked four districts at risk. Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, and Malir (Karachi). Now, since the trajectory is towards the northeast, the Tharparkar region also needs to be aware of the impact of the cyclone,” she added.
Cyclone diverts toward Keti bandar
Cyclone Biparjoy changed its direction on Wednesday and it will hit the Keti Bandar Port in Thatta and Badin areas in Sindh province. Karachi city, nevertheless, is safe from the cyclone.
Earlier, the rescue teams evacuated more than 100,000 people from the coastal areas of Pakistan on Wednesday to protect them from the risks of the cyclone.
Biparjoy, meaning “disaster” in Bengali, is advancing across the Arabian Sea. It can make landfall today.
Sea tides rise further as Cyclone Biparjoy hits Keti Bandar, Thatta today.
Weather experts have predicted powerful winds, storm surges, and lashing rains which will affect a 325-km stretch of coast between Mandvi in India’s Gujarat state and Karachi in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday the Federal Minister for Climate Change said that Cyclone Biparjoy will not hit Karachi. However, Senator Sherry Rehman said that Keti Bandar, Thatta, Badin, and Sajawal are still facing the risk of natural calamity.
She further said that the intensity of the cyclone has decreased and it will be evaluated further on Wednesday.
Minister also said Karachi is expected to receive about 110mm of rainfall. Nonetheless, Thatta, Badin, and Sajawal are set to experience around 330mm of rain.
Senator Sherry said, “We have issued a red alert till June 18 and will revise the advisory at 11 or 12 o’clock on the day the storm would make a landfall.”
