Islamabad June 11 2023: The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) “ BIPARJOY” over eastcentral Arabian Sea has further intensified into an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS), moved northward during last 12 hours and now lies near Latitude 18.1°N & Longitude 67.5°E at a distance of about 760km south of Karachi, 740km south of Thatta & 840km southeast of Ormara.
Maximum sustained surface winds are 150-160 Km/hour gusts 180 Km/hour around the system center with and sea conditions being phenomenal around the system canter with maximum wave height 35-40 feet. The favorable environmental conditions (sea surface temperature of 30-32°C, low vertical wind shear & upper-level divergence) are supporting the system to maintain its intensity. Under the existing upper-level steering winds, the ESCS “BIPARJOY” is most likely to track further Northward until 14 June morning, then recurve Northeastward and cross between Keti Bandar (Southeast Sindh) and Indian Gujarat coast on 15 June afternoon as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS). PMD’s cyclone warning center, Karachi is continuously monitoring the system and will issue update accordingly.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that there is a danger of hurricane at this time. Commissioners and officials have been sent there in view of increased danger in Thatta Sajawal Badin.
On the other hand, NDMA, the organization dealing with natural disasters, says that only by checking the progress of this storm, it will be possible to estimate at which point it will hit the coast and what its effects will be.
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 & Umerkot districts during 13-17 June. Squally (high intensity) winds may cause damage to loose & vulnerable structures (Kutcha houses).
Dust/thunderstorm-rain with few heavy falls & 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.
Storm surge of 3-3.5 meters (8-12 feet) expected at the land falling point (Keti Bandar and around).
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.
