The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan has issued a fresh alert regarding tropical cyclone ‘Biparjoy’ at 1:00 AM on June 15, 2023.
The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) “Biparjoy” is currently located over the northeast Arabian Sea and has moved further. Its current position is near Latitude 21.9°N and Longitude 66.3°E with a north/northeast direction. It is approximately 370km south-southwest of Karachi and 290km south-southwest of Keti Bandar.
The maximum sustained surface winds around the cyclone’s center are between 150-160 km/hour, with gusts reaching up to 180 km/hour. The sea conditions in the vicinity of the cyclone center are described as phenomenal, with maximum wave heights of 30 feet.
The cyclone conditions, including a sea surface temperature of 29-30°C, low vertical wind shear, and upper-level divergence, are conducive to sustaining its strength. Under the influence of the existing upper-level steering winds, the VSCS “Biparjoy” is now expected to recurve in a north-northeastward direction. It is projected to make landfall between Keti Bandar (Southeast Sindh) and the Indian Gujarat coast on the afternoon or evening of June 15, 2023.
READ MORE: Severe Cyclonic Storm BIPARJOY Expected to Hit Pakistan and India, Alert Issued
At the time of landfall, “Biparjoy” is expected to retain its status as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, with winds packing between 100-120 km/hour and gusts of up to 140 km/hour.
The areas likely to be severely affected by the cyclone include Thatta, Badin, Sajawal, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, and Umerkot. These regions can expect heavy to extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 300 mm between June 13-17, 2023.
READ MORE: BIPARJOY Strengthens in East-central Arabian Sea, Expected to Impact Southern Sindh
Other areas that will be affected, albeit to a lesser extent, include Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Allah Yar Khan, Tando Mohammad Khan, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Sanghar. These areas can expect heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm between June 13-17, 2023.
Additionally, isolated heavy rainfall is anticipated between June 14-16, 2023, in Lasbela and Hub.
These findings have been developed by the NEOC Technical team using various international and national weather prediction models, including PMD-NWPM, NASA, PDC & UKM, IMD, BOM-A, and ECMWF.
READ MORE: Sindh 1122 Deploys 60 Ambulances Along Coastal Belt Ahead of Cyclone Biparjoy
