Biparjoy Density Prevails, Posing Serious Threat To At-Risk Communities: Sherry

News Desk

Islamabad: The very severe cyclonic storm (VCSC) Biparjoy of category 3 has seen a decline in its intensity, but its density has persisted due to developing weather conditions posing a serious threat to vulnerable communities, said Senator Sherry Rehman on Thursday.

Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Federal Minister Sherry Rehman further added that although the cyclone’s direction has changed from Karachi, its associated risks are still present in the impacted areas.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik said the spread of the cyclone was towards the north and north-east and its speed has declined to 130–150 km/h. Meanwhile, the cyclone’s impact has been delayed, he added.

“The water-level rise, rainfall, and storm alerts have already been issued, whereas the four districts that would probably face the impacts are Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, and Keti Bandar,” Sherry Rehman added.

این ای او سی اپڈیٹ: بائپر جوائے
سمندری طوفان کے متوقع لینڈ فال اور ساحلی پٹی پر اسکے ممکنہ اثرات کے حوالے سے نیشنل ایمرجنسی کمیٹی کی میڈیا کو بریفنگ.
کمیٹی سربراہ شیری رحمان اور چیئرمین این ڈی ایم اے نے میڈیا کو تازہ ترین صورتحال کے حوالے سے آگاہ کیا.https://t.co/dGAxBwGeKT pic.twitter.com/ahvoVH7oDv

— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) June 15, 2023

There are 17 weather stations monitoring the situation and providing the most updated information, the Federal Minister noted.

“The distance of the cyclone was almost 235 kilometres (km) from Thatta, and it has reduced from 248 km to 230km from Karachi which was 155 km away from Keti Bandar and has a wind speed of 120–140 km/h,” Sherry revealed.

The climate change Minister further stated that the sustained surface wind speed is varying. Some 30-foot-high waves could rise in the coastal areas and the local people have to stay alert.

Senator Rehman informed that five corps, 16 companies of Rangers, 1,400 soldiers, and 303 Pakistan Navy personnel are deployed in the field along with two battalions of Coast Guards, whereas the Pakistan Air Force is kept on standby to chip in with the relief and rescue effort.

The Army and Rangers successfully carried out an evacuation of around 82,000 people that continued until late at night.

“As many as 169 relief camps, including 100 standby facilities, have been established, and each camp has the capacity to accommodate 7,000 to 8,000 people,”InamHaider added.

The NDMA chairman informed that all amenities, including food, rations, first aid kits, and water, have been provided to the relief camps by the federal and Sindh governments.