Cyclone Biparjoy made landfall on the Indian Gujarat coast on Friday and is now 125 kilometers southwest of Keti Bandar, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The storm is predicted to weaken to a cyclonic storm and then to a depression by this evening, according to the NDMA.
“It is expected to move north-eastward and weaken into a cyclonic storm by morning 16 June, and then further weaken into a depression by evening 16 June,” according to the NDMA.
The cyclone made landfall as a Category 1 storm, sparing Pakistan’s coastal areas, including Karachi.
According to the most recent forecast, the VSCS Biparjoy has crossed the Indian Gujarat coast (Jakhau port) and the adjoining Pakistan-India border near Latitude 23.3°N & Longitude 68.5°E, 135 kilometers from Keti Bandar, 160 kilometers from Thatta, and 220 kilometers from Karachi.
“The associated maximum sustained surface winds are 100-120 Km/hour gusting 130 Km/hour with sea conditions being rough/very rough in Northeast Arabian Sea with wave height 10-15 feet,” it added.
Possible Impact
Rain-thunderstorms with severe/very heavy falls and squally winds of 80-100 km/h are expected in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparker, Mirpurkhas, and Umerkot districts until June 17.
Tonight and tomorrow, dust/thunderstorm rain with a few heavy falls and gusty winds of 30-50 km/h are expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allayar, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Sanghar districts.
Squally winds may cause damage to loose and susceptible constructions (Kutcha homes) in the districts of Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparker, and Umerkot.
Storm surges of 2-2.5 meters (6-8 feet) are forecast along Keti Bandar and neighboring areas, potentially inundating low-lying settlements.
Sea conditions along the Sindh-Makran coast are likely to be rough/ very rough (with 2-2.5 meter tide).
Fishermen are advised not to venture into the open sea till the system is over by 17 June.
Earlier, weather officials had said that the cyclone was expected to move overnight into Pakistan’s Sindh province, home to the port megacity of Karachi.
