Entry to Karachi beaches banned as Biparjoy threat intensifies

Karachi commissioner Saturday imposed Section 144 in the city prohibiting entry to the beaches, as the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) "Biparjoy" intensifies, a notification read. 

A ban has been placed on fishing, swimming, sailing and bathing by the city's administration from June 11 till the "end of the storm" following the threat.

The decision, according to the notification, has been taken to avoid any untoward incident of shipwreck or drowning.

Meanwhile, the PMD has also warned all concerned authorities and advised them to remain "alert" during the forecast period.

The notification comes as the cyclone over the east-central Arabian Sea maintains its intensity, further tracking northeastward during the past 12 hours, and now lies near Latitude 15.5°N and Longitude 66.3°E at a distance of about 1,040 kilometres south of Karachi, 1,020 kilometres south of Thatta and 1,110 kilometres southeast of Ormara, the Met Office stated.

In case of violation of the orders, the deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners concerned have been authorised to take action in coordination with the concerned senior superintendent of police in the city.

The violators will be booked under section 188 PPC.

According to PMD, maximum sustained surface winds are 120 to 130 kilometres per hour with gusts of 150 kilometres per hour around the system center.

The favourable environmental conditions (sea surface temperature of 30°C to 32°C, low vertical wind shear, and upper-level divergence) are still supporting the system to intensify further.

"Owing to shift in upper-level steering winds, the uncertainty in global models forecast of Biparjoy track still persists with some taking it to Oman- Pakistan Makran coast and others indicating towards Indian Gujarat-Pakistan Sindh coast," Karachi's Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre mentioned.

Considering this uncertainty, the system is likely to keep tracking further north/northeastward during the next 36 to 48 hours. PMD’s cyclone warning center, Karachi, is monitoring the system and will issue an update accordingly.

Possible Impacts:

• Fishermen are advised not to venture in open sea from Monday, June 12, 2023 onwards till the system is over as the Arabian Sea conditions may get very rough/high accompanied with high tides along coast.
• With its probable north-northeast track, the rain-thunderstorm with some heavy falls and squally winds are expected in Sindh-Makran coast from June 13 night to June 14 morning.
• Squally (high intensity) winds may cause damage to loose and vulnerable structures.
• Sea conditions are very high/phenomenal around the system center with maximum wave height 25-28 feet.