Cyclone Biparjoy live updates: Pakistan, India on high alert

Authorities in Pakistan and Indian coastal areas on Monday began efforts to evacuate thousands of residents as the Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS) “Biparjoy” closed in on Karachi.

According to the latest forecast, the cyclone is expected to maintain a northward trajectory until the morning of June 14. It is then likely to recurve eastward and will make landfall between Keti Bandar (southeast Sindh coastline) and the Indian Gujarat Coastline in the afternoon of June 15 (Thursday) as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS).

Biparjoy is currently located near latitude 19.9°N and longitude 67.8°E, roughly 550km south of Karachi and 530km south of Thatta with a maximum sustained wind speed of 140-150kmph gusting to 200kmph.

Read live coverage of cyclone Biparjoy here

Possible impacts on Pakistani coastal areas:

— 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 80-100Km/hour likely in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparker and Umerkot districts during 13-17 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, Mirpurkhas districts from 13/14 June -16 June.

— Squally (high intensity) winds may cause damage to loose & vulnerable structures (Kutcha houses).

— Storm surge of 3-3.5 meters (8-12 feet) is expected at the land falling point (Keti Bandar and around).

— Fishermen are advised not to venture into the open sea till the system is over by June 17, as the Arabian Sea conditions may get very rough/high accompanied by high tides along the coast.

Possible impacts on Indian coastal areas:

— Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts of Saurashtra and Kutch on 14th June.

— The intensity of rainfall would increase with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi and Junagarh districts of Gujarat on 15th June.

— Isolated heavy rainfall is very likely over the remaining districts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat region on 15th June.

Key updates on cyclone: 

Karachi DHA residents advised to voluntarily evacuate

 

Biparjoy only 580km away from Karachi

Seawater inundates houses, shops in Ormara 

The impact of the cyclone has started to prevail in Gwadar's Ormara as the sea waves started to reach the road near the coast, said the locals.

They added that the seawater has started to enter the houses and shops.

Modi says people residing in Biparjoy's path being evacuated

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that the rescue teams are safely evacuating people who reside in the path of Biparjoy.

He reviewed the preparations ahead of the cyclone, which is expected to make landfall in Gujarat's Kutch on June 15.

"Our teams are ensuring safe evacuations from vulnerable areas and ensuring maintenance of essential services. Praying for everyone's safety and well-being," PM Modi tweeted after the meeting.

The PM has also issued directions for senior officers to ensure people are safely evacuated by taking every possible measure.

He instructed that the maintenance of all essential services such as power, telecommunications, health and drinking water should be ensured. In case any damage is caused to them, they should be restored on an urgent basis.

Sindh to evacuate 50,000

The Sindh government Monday kicked off the evacuation drive from the coastal areas of Badin in the wake of fast-approaching cyclone Biparjoy, moving the residents to safe places in order to avoid any loss of life.

The government had decided to evacuate the residential areas and other human settlements near the coast of Sindh as the risk of tropical cyclone Biparjoy present in the Arabian Sea escalates.

CM Murad Shah takes aerial view of coastal areas

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Monday took an aerial view of Badin, Sujawal and Thatta’s coastal belt amid cyclone Biparjoy threat.

The cyclone is expected to make landfall along the Sindh's coast on June 15. The provincial authorities have planned to evacuate at least 10,000 people and shift them to safer places.

Minister for Local Bodies Nasir Ali Shah and the chief secretary were also present with the chief minister.

Sindh to begin evacuation along coastline 

As the risk of tropical cyclone Biparjoy present in the Arabian Sea escalates, the government has decided to evacuate the residential areas and other human settlements near the coast of Sindh.

Read the complete story here.

Karachi to receive heavy rain

Sindh Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz, talking to Geo News, forecast heavy rains in Karachi, Hyderabad, Nawabshah Sanghar, and Tando Mohammad Khan due to the storm.

He said rains might hit these areas on June 14 or 15, while heavy winds would blow at a speed of 70 kilometers per hour.

300-400mm rain in cyclone-hit areas

In conversation with Geo News, Sindh Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz said that the cyclone's direction would remain towards the northeast and hit Keti Bandar (Thatta) on June 15.

He said 300mm-400 mm of rain is expected in the areas where the storm passes. Therefore, heavy rains are expected in Thatta, Sajawal, Badin, Mirpur Khas, and surrounding areas in South East Sindh.

NDMA continuously monitoring cyclone

National Disaster Management Authority says they are continuously monitoring the cyclone and necessary instructions are being given to relevant quarters.

India Meteorological Department says Biparjoy currently lies over east-central and adjoining NE Arabian Sea about 380km SSW of Devbhumi Dwarka.