According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) named “Biparjoy” in the east-central Arabian Sea has maintained its intensity. It has continued moving north-northeast towards Pakistan’s Sindh over the past 12 hours.
In a recent alert, the meteorological department reported that the storm is currently located near Latitude 16.7°N and Longitude 66.4°E. It is situated approximately 910km south of Karachi, 890km south of Thatta, and 990km southeast of Ormara.
The Cyclonic Storm “Biparjoy” was previously located about 1,040 kilometers south of Karachi, 1,020 kilometers south of Thatta, and 1,110 kilometers southeast of Ormara.”Maximum sustained surface winds are 120-130 Km/hour gusts 150 Km/hour around the system centre.
“The favourable environmental conditions (sea surface temperature of 30-32°C, low vertical wind shear & upper-level divergence) are in support to intensify the system further,” the PMD notification added.
Notification however, do mention that the direction of the cyclone is still uncertain despite it moving towards Sindh.
“Owing to shift in upper-level steering winds, the uncertainty in global models’ final track forecast of VSCS ‘BIPARJOY’ still persists with some taking it to Makran-North Oman coast and others indicating towards Indian Gujarat-Sindh coast,” the alert stated.
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As per the alert, the system is expected to continue moving in a north/northeastward direction over the next 18-24 hours and subsequently make a slight turn towards the north-northwest.
“PMD’s cyclone warning centre, Karachi is monitoring the system and will issue an update accordingly,” the notification read.
Fishermen are asked not go out to sea from tomorrow, June 11, 2023, until the weather gets better. The Arabian Sea will have very rough waves and high tides near the coast, which can be dangerous.
With the anticipated north-northeast track, the Sindh-Makran coast can expect rain, thunderstorms, and heavy precipitation from the evening/night of June 13 onwards. These conditions may be accompanied by squally winds.