Karachi, 10th June, 2023 (GNP): The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning regarding the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) named “BIPARJOY”. The storm is currently located in the east-central Arabian Sea. It has remained powerful and has been heading in a north-northeast direction over the past 12 hours.
According to the latest information provided by the PMD, the storm’s current position is approximately 910km south of Karachi, 890km south of Thatta, and 990km southeast of Ormara, at Latitude 16.7°N and Longitude 66.4°E.
Previously, the storm positioned itself 1,040 kilometers south of Karachi, 1,020 kilometers south of Thatta, and 1,110 kilometers southeast of Ormara.
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The central area of the cyclonic system exhibits maximum sustained surface winds ranging from 120 to 130 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching up to 150 kilometers per hour.
The PMD notification states that the storm is expected to further intensify due to favorable environmental conditions, including sea surface temperatures of 30-32°C, low vertical wind shear, and upper-level divergence.
However, there is uncertainty in the forecast regarding the storm’s direction. The alert mentions that due to changes in upper-level steering winds, various global models provide different track predictions for VSCS “BIPARJOY,”. Some indicate a trajectory towards the Makran-North Oman coast, while others point towards the Indian Gujarat-Sindh coast.
Over the next 18-24 hours, it is likely that the system will continue moving north/northeastward, followed by a slight recurve to the north-northwest.
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The PMD’s cyclone warning center in Karachi is actively monitoring the storm’s progress and will issue updates accordingly.
In response to the advancing storm, The Karachi Commissioner’s office has officially implemented section 144 in Karachi, banning access to the city’s beaches.
To ensure the safety of individuals, the city’s administration further prohibited fishing, sailing, swimming, and bathing within Karachi’s territorial waters from June 11 until the storm subsides. These measures are in place to prevent any unfortunate incidents such as shipwrecks or drowning.
