Cyclonic storm Biparjoy lies 390km away from Karachi, 370km from Thatta

KARACHI (92 News) - The Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS) 'Biparjoy' over northeast Arabian Sea moved further north-northwestward during last 12 hours and now lies at a distance of about 390km south of Karachi, 370km south of Thatta.

According to the Met Office, the storm is likely to hit Keti Bandar and Indian Gujarat on June 15.

Maximum sustained surface winds are 140-150 km/hour and gusts 170 km/hour around the system center and sea conditions being phenomenal around the system center with maximum wave height 30 feet.

The favorable environmental conditions (sea surface temperature of 29-31°C, low vertical wind shear & 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 most likely to track further northward until June 14 morning, then re-curve northeastward and cross between Keti Bandar (southeast Sindh) and Indian Gujarat coast on June 15 afternoon/evening as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) with packing winds of 100-120Km/hour.

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 80-100 km/hour, gusting 120km/hour likely in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot districts during June 13-17.
• 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 & Sanghar districts from June 14-16.
• Squally (high intensity) winds may cause damage to loose and vulnerable structures (Kutcha houses) including solar panels etc.
• Storm surge of 3-3.5 meters (8-12 feet) expected at the land falling point (Keti Bandar and around) which can inundate the low-lying settlements.
• Fishermen are advised not to venture in open sea till the system is over by 17 June, as the Arabian Sea conditions may get very rough/high accompanied with high tides along coast.