Cyclone Biparjoy about to strike coastal areas, only 145km from Keti Bandar
KARACHI (92 News) - The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) 'Biparjoy' over northeast Arabian Sea has moved further northeastward and now lies at a distance of about 220km south of Karachi, 210km south Thatta and 145km south of Keti Bandar.
According to the Met Office, maximum sustained surface winds are 120-140 km/hour and 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 favourable 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.
Biparjoy is likely to continue moving northeastward and cross between Keti Bandar (southeast Sindh) and Indian Gujarat coast by today evening as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) with packing winds of 100-120 km/hour gusting 140 km/hour.
Possible Impacts:
Under its influence:
- 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, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot districts today till June 17.
- 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 are advised not to venture in open sea till the system is over by June 17.
