Sujawal DC Imtiaz Abro expresses danger of a tempest is over now; meeting today to choose subsequent stages

Lost canines meander along the Bedouin Ocean's coast, at the No Good reason for Badin locale, Sindh area on June 15, 2023. — AFP

  • "Thank God, we are safe," says Sherry Rehman.
  • Sindh's coastline spared from significant damage.
  • Sujawal residents will return home tomorrow.


Pakistani officials expressed relief as Cyclonic Storm Biparjoy made landfall along the Indian Gujarat coast and the Pakistan-India border, sparing Sindh's coastline from significant damage. The cyclone, which was categorised as a very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS), prompted the evacuation of over 180,000 individuals in India and Pakistan in preparation for its impact on coastal regions.


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Biparjoy struck near the port of Jakhau in Gujarat, causing roofs to be blown off houses and trees and electric poles to be uprooted. However, no casualties were reported. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan stated that Biparjoy is expected to weaken further.




Fishermen who were relocated due to the cyclone have been given the all-clear to return home as the storm has subsided significantly. According to local authorities, light rain and winds persisted in certain areas, but the threat of the storm has passed.




Residents who were evacuated and staying in relief camps will begin returning to their homes, and damage caused by the strong winds and rain is being assessed.




The NDMA reported that the cyclone is currently located at a latitude of 23.4°N and a longitude of 68.5°E, approximately 255 kilometres from Karachi, 165 kilometres from Thatta, and 125 kilometres from Keti Bandar. The maximum sustained surface winds are between 100 to 120 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching 130 kilometres per hour near the centre of the system.




The likely impacts include widespread rain, thunderstorms, and squally winds in various districts until June 17. A storm surge of 6 to 8 feet is expected at the landfall point, which could inundate low-lying areas. Some structural damage may occur, and rough sea conditions are anticipated along the Sindh-Makran coast.




Weather expert Jawad Memon explained that the effects of the cyclone were limited to Sindh's coastal belt, and rainfall in other parts of the country was due to a western disturbance. He emphasized the difficulty of predicting Arabian Sea cyclones compared to those in the Bay of Bengal.




The Climate Change Minister, Senator Sherry Rehman, assured that the authorities would discuss plans to facilitate the return of affected individuals to their homes. The government had successfully evacuated thousands of people and livestock. Rehman acknowledged the challenge of reaching every affected area due to the population size but expressed gratitude that the cyclone's impact was not as severe as anticipated.