KARACHI, June 13: The Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) on Tuesday announced that Cyclone Biparjoy was 470 kilometres south of Karachi, and 460 km away from Thatta as it moved further north-northwestward during the last 12 hours.
It maintained that “favourable 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.”
On its official Twitter handle, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), also stated that the cyclone ‘weakened’ into a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ from its earlier status of extremely severe, with a current speed of approximately 140-150 km/h.
Its current location is near Latitude 20.7° N and Longitude 67.1° E.
According to the authority, Biparjoy’s evolving situation and impact would only be certain with further development of the system.
The NDMA’s website maintained that “according to the latest forecast, tropical cyclone Biparjoy is expected to maintain a northward trajectory until the morning of June 14, 2023, and then it is likely to recurve eastward and will make a landfall between Keti Bandar (Southeast Sindh Coastline) and the Indian Gujarat Coastline in the afternoon of June 15, 2023, as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS).”
The areas likely to be affected include Thatta, Badin, Sajawal, Tharparkar, Karachi, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Hyderabad, Ormara, Tando Allah Yar Khan and Tando Mohammad Khan.
Evacuation from Sindh’s coastal belt continues
Thousands of families are still stuck in Sindh’s coastal belt despite warnings given to them by the authorities since yesterday.
Panic gripped the residents of Badin, Sujawal, Thatta and Karachi’s Rehri Goth and adjacent areas. Since Monday, the authorities have been ‘convincing’ families living near the coast to move out to camps set up by them.
The majority refused to leave their residences, while authorities claimed on Tuesday morning that they evacuated the most vulnerable people living in the ‘red zone’.
It is still unclear how many people are under direct impact of the cyclone Biparjoy which according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) could hit these districts on Thursday.
Officials have also warned that rain is expected today afternoon in coastal areas.
According to Sindh Chief Minister House, out of 40,800, over 6,000 people have been shifted to safer locations. CM Murad Ali Shah said that the Sindh administration would also continue to transfer the people of the Thatta, Badin, and Sajawal districts.
He stated that local residents did not want to leave their homes but there was no option but to shift them to a safer place. He appealed to the people to cooperate with the administration in the relocation process.
Badin
“We have not left our village yet,” said Mumtaz Ali, a resident of Golo Mandhro, the village which was completely destroyed in the 1999 cyclone.
“We cannot go to camps which lack all facilities,” he explained.
Ali said that a camp has been set up near his village. “Is there any logic to leaving our home and staying in the school which is not far away from our home,” he said.
At least eight relief camps have been established in Badin districts where roughly 4,000 people are currently staying. All camps have been set up in government schools.
Badin Deputy Commissioner Agha Shah Nawaz Khan told that all the communities living near the coast have been shifted.
“A few families refused to leave but we will bring them to the camps. We want their safety,” he said.
Khan said that: “It is not 1999. It’s 2023. We have informed them to move out. All measures have been taken. We will not leave people to face the threats of the disaster,” he said.
He said that since Monday morning, the evacuation process has continued.
Sujawal
Relief camps have also been set up in Sujawal and its main towns.
Phull Shaikh, a resident of Ramzan Malla near Zero Point told that about 3,000 people from the area left their houses late Monday night soon after the waters entered their villages.
“It was like a nightmare. Most of our houses have been inundated,” Shaikh said. He also claimed that thousands of people were stuck and waiting for help.
Thatta
Thatta’s Keti Bunder, Kharo Chhan and adjacent areas have almost been evacuated.
“The families are still moving to Bhagan, Gharo and Karachi,” Umer, a captain of the boat informed.
“I see the situation is normal but the authorities claim it will hit these areas,” he commented. He said that over a dozen fishermen were staying back and will not leave the area.
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