KARACHI:The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) “BIPARJOY” over northeast Arabian Sea has moved north-northeastward during last 06 hours and now lies near Latitude 22.8°N and Longitude 67.0°E at a distance of about 230km south of Karachi, 235km south Thatta and 155km south-southwest of Keti Bandar.
According to a PMD report at 10:40pm on Thursday, maximum sustained surface winds are 120-140 Km/hour gusts 150 Km/hour around the system center and sea conditions being phenomenal around the system center with maximum wave height 25-30 feet. The favorable environmental conditions (sea surface temperature of 29-30°C, low vertical wind shear and upper-level divergence) are in support to sustain its strength through the forecast period. Under the existing upper-level steering winds, the VSCS “BIPARJOY” is likely keep tracking Northeastward and cross between Keti Bandar (Southeast Sindh) and Indian Gujarat coast on 15 June evening as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) with packing winds of 100-120 Km/hour gusting 140 km/hour. PMD’s cyclone warning center, Karachi is continuously monitoring the system and will issue update accordingly.
Possible Impacts:
With its probable approach to the southeast Sindh coast, widespread wind-dust/thunderstorm rain with some very heavy/extremely heavy falls accompanied with squally winds of 100-120Km/hour gusting 140km/hour likely in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparker, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot districts from 15-17 June.
Dust/thunderstorm-rain with few heavy falls and accompanied with squally winds of 60-80 Km/hour likely in Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allayar, Shaheed Benazirabad and Sanghar districts on today and tomorrow.
Dust/thunderstorm-rain with isolated heavy falls likely in Hub, Lasbella and Khuzdar districts of Balochistan today and tomorrow.
Squally (high intensity) winds may cause damage to loose and vulnerable structures (Kutcha houses) including solar panels etc.
Storm surge of 3-4 meters (10-13 feet) expected at the land falling point (Keti Bandar and around) which can inundate the low-lying settlements.
Sea conditions along Sindh coast may get very rough/ high (2-2.5 meter) and rough/ very rough (2 meter) along Balochistan coast (Sonmiani, Hub, Kund Malir. Ormara and surroundings).
Fishermen have been advised not to venture in open sea till the system is over by 17 June. All concerned authorities were also particularly advised to remain ‘ALERT’ during the forecast period.
