Web Desk
In response to the increasing threat posed by the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) “Birparjoy,” the Karachi Commissioner has issued a notification imposing Section 144, prohibiting entry to the beaches in Karachi.
The city’s administration has also banned fishing, sailing, swimming, and bathing within Karachi’s territorial limits from June 11 until the storm subsides, to mitigate the risk of shipwrecks and drownings.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned all relevant authorities to remain alert during the forecast period as the cyclone continues to maintain its intensity over the east-central Arabian Sea. As of the latest report, the cyclone is positioned near Latitude 15.5°N and Longitude 66.3°E, approximately 1,040 kilometers south of Karachi, 1,020 kilometers south of Thatta, and 1,110 kilometers southeast of Ormara.
Deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners, along with the concerned senior superintendents of police in the city, have been granted the authority to take action against violators of the imposed restrictions, in accordance with Section 188 PPC (Pakistan Penal Code).
The PMD has reported maximum sustained surface winds of 120 to 130 kilometers per hour, with gusts of up to 150 kilometers per hour near the center of the cyclone. The system is currently benefiting from favorable environmental conditions such as sea surface temperatures of 30°C to 32°C, low vertical wind shear, and upper-level divergence, which support its potential for further intensification.
Due to variations in the forecasted track of Cyclone Birparjoy caused by changes in upper-level steering winds, uncertainties persist. Some global models indicate a track towards Oman-Pakistan Makran coast, while others suggest a path towards Indian Gujarat-Pakistan Sindh coast, according to Karachi’s Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre.
Considering this uncertainty, the system is expected to continue moving north/northeastward over the next 36 to 48 hours. The PMD’s cyclone warning center in Karachi is closely monitoring the situation and will issue updates accordingly.
Fishermen are strongly advised to avoid venturing into the open sea from Monday, June 12, 2023, until the system passes, as the Arabian Sea conditions may become extremely rough and high, accompanied by high tides along the coast. With the system’s probable north-northeast track, Sindh-Makran coast can expect rain, thunderstorms, and heavy downpours from the night of June 13 to the morning of June 14. Squally winds of high intensity may cause damage to loose and vulnerable structures. Sea conditions around the cyclone center are currently very high/phenomenal, with maximum wave heights reaching 25-28 feet.
As the threat of Cyclone Birparjoy looms, authorities in Karachi are taking preventive measures to ensure the safety of residents and minimize potential risks.
