The bustling metropolis prepared itself for the arrival of cyclone Biparjoy on Tuesday as the sea level surged along the coastline, prompting residents of the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) to evacuate to safer areas.
The cyclone, now downgraded to a very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS), has moved closer and currently sits approximately 470km south of Karachi. The meteorological department stated that Karachi, Hyderabad, and other cities in Sindh can expect dust storms, thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and squally winds of 60-80 Kmph from 14th to 16th June due to the influence of the cyclonic system.
Furthermore, Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman expressed concerns about potential urban flooding in Karachi due to the strength and magnitude of the winds. On Twitter, she emphasized the seriousness of the situation and urged people to heed the advisories from the Sindh Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the Balochistan PDMA for coastal areas. While the cyclone’s intensity has reportedly diminished for the Balochistan side, it remains highly unpredictable, necessitating caution.
#BiparjoyCyclone is real. Without panicking, people need to take @pdmasindhpk and @PDMABalochistan advisories seriously for the coastal areas. So far it has reduced intensity only for Balochistan side am told but it is highly unpredictable so please do NOT take it casually. It… pic.twitter.com/TN5GjpzqDJ
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) June 13, 2023
Provincial authorities are on high alert, and emergency declarations have been made in various departments, including health, civic agencies, and rescue services, to effectively respond to the situation.
The DHA issued an evacuation notice to its residents, urging them to relocate to safer places. The voluntary evacuation recommendation aims to prioritize the safety and well-being of the community members until the cyclone situation stabilizes.
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🚨 Important Announcement: Evacuation Notice for DHA Residents: In light of the impending cyclone and the safety and well-being of our community members being our top priority, we would like to inform you that a voluntary evacuation is recommended for pic.twitter.com/K2D09dZmHz— DHA Karachi Official (@DHAKarachiOfc) June 12, 2023
The meteorological department predicts hot and humid weather in the port city, accompanied by dusty winds. There is a possibility of rain and thunderstorms later in the day, with temperatures ranging from a morning high of 32°C to a maximum of 37°C-39°C. The recorded minimum temperature is 30.5°C, and the humidity level stands at 58%.
