KARACHI: The Cyclone Vayu turned to Category-1 earlier on Wednesday, intensifying as ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’ (VSCS), worsening the heatwave in Karachi and pushing the mercury forecast to hit 39-42°C.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the ‘feels like’ temperature could shoot to 47-50°C owing to Karachi's humidity while the heatwave in the port city.
The sea breeze, too, is predicted to remain cut off in the port city, a sandstorm with a touch of light rain is expected in Karachi today (Thursday), it added. The PMD said the effect of the Cyclone would be limited to India's Gujrat but is expected to hit its shore in the evening today.
Indian Gujarat
Contrary to earlier predictions made by the Indian Met authorities, Cyclone Vayu has changed its course and is is now unlikely to make landfall on Gujarat coast.
"IMD has officially informed that the Vayu cyclone has changed the course and now is unlikely to make landfall on Gujarat coast. However still while skirting through Gujarat coast it may cause heavy wind and rain so we are still on stand by mode. All forces will remain on alert mode till situation does not becomes normal," Pankaj Kumar (IAS), additional chief secretary, revenue department and in-charge of the cyclone relief activity said.
The Indian government had evacuated at least 300,000 residents to shelters along the coast in Gujarat as cyclone Vayu intensified over the Arabian Sea and was likely to hit land on Thursday (today).
Indian media ,citing weather officials , reported that Cyclone Vayu, with wind speeds equivalent to those of a Category 1 hurricane, is set to cross the coast with sustained wind speeds of 145 kph to 155 kph (90 mph to 96 mph), and could gust as high as 170 kph (106 mph).
Cyclone Vayu is the second deadliest cyclone to hit the state since 1998 that had ravaged port town Kandla killing 1,241 persons.
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