ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman on Wednesday asked the people living along the coastal and other areas expected to be affected by tropical cyclone Biparjoy to take necessary precautionary measures. He said the evacuation of people was in full swing.
She said there had been no change in the projected path of Biparjoy, which was expected to land between Keti Bandar tomorrow (Thursday) – a town located in Thatta district of Sindh – and the Indian state of Gujarat.
About Biparjoy, Rehman said the maximum wind speed currently recorded at 150 km per hour [with gusts up to 170 km per hour] and added that heavy rains with strong winds were predicted in even areas that won’t be hit directly.
The minister said the cyclone wouldn’t hit Karachi – a city hosting around 20 million people – but the effects [in the shape of storm surge, wind and downpours] would be felt.
Addressing a press conference, Rehman urged people to avoid unnecessary movement on June 14 and 15 [Thursday and Friday] and stock diesel in case they have generators.
This precaution is necessary for cyclones, given that the wind and heavy rain knocked down power lines, disrupting the electricity supply completely.
She said shipping activity had been suspended at the two ports in the megacity – Karachi Port and Port Bin Qasim – and mentioned that people must not venture near to the coastline, with an appeal to cooperate with the military and civil authorities.
The government has already imposed Section 144 to stop people, especially fishermen, from visiting the coastline and go for fishing.
About evacuations from the most vulnerable areas like Keti Bandar and other towns/ villages which will experience the brunt, Rehman said the process was completed by late Tuesday night but added that the residents of some other areas [like those living in the localities located near the sea] were showing reluctance.
Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik shared the details of the measures taken so far, including establishing relief camps, as the government is preparing to face the challenge amid the cyclone’s landfall tomorrow.
