From Biparjoy to Asna: Pakistan’s Readiness for Cyclone Disasters

Imama Riaz

Rawalpindi: As the Arabian Sea brews with a severe low-pressure system, the Sindh coast braces for a potential storm that could evolve into a cyclone.

Dubbed “Asna,” meaning the brightest, this system threatens to bring severe weather to Karachi and surrounding regions, prompting authorities to stay vigilant and prepared for any escalation.

According to the weather warning issued on Thursday, the low-pressure system, currently over the Rann of Kutch area, is expected to approach the Sindh coastline tonight (Thursday) or tomorrow (Friday).

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) indicates that this system carries the risk of developing into a cyclone. It is currently located 270 kilometres southeast of Karachi.

As a result of this system, the PMD has warned of heavy rainfall in Karachi, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad, and Tando Muhammad Khan. The PMD’s Cyclone Warning System is closely monitoring the situation as a deep depression has been slowly moving for the past 12 hours over the Indian Rann of Kutch and its adjacent areas.

The global population is increasingly facing a rising number of natural disasters, including hurricanes, which result in human casualties, widespread devastation, and significant losses. These events contribute to socio-economic instability and heightened stress.

Pakistan, a nation of approximately 240 million people, is among the countries most severely impacted by climate change. The country frequently experiences floods, droughts, heatwaves, and hurricanes.

Pakistan has a long history of hurricanes and cyclones, particularly during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. To document this, PenPK.com has developed a detailed timeline.

Cyclone Biparjoy
Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Biparjoy, a significant tropical cyclone of the 2023 North Indian Ocean season, formed over the east-central Arabian Sea. It originated from a depression first noted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on June 6, before intensifying into a cyclonic storm.

Biparjoy strengthened into a Category 3-equivalent tropical cyclone and an extremely severe cyclonic storm before making landfall in Naliya, India, on June 16. It was downgraded to a depression and later to a well-marked low-pressure area by June 19.

The India Meteorological Department issued alerts and evacuation warnings for Gujarat, and 81,000 people were evacuated from Pakistan’s southeast coast.

The cyclone caused significant damage and disruption, with Gujarat experiencing heavy rains, strong winds, and high tides. The storm resulted in 12 fatalities, with three lives lost in Kutch and Rajkot districts.

It uprooted trees, collapsed walls, and inflicted substantial damage to the electricity network, estimated at US$123.7 million. The statewide damage was estimated between US$0.98–1.22 billion.

Maharashtra also faced heavy rains and high tidal waves, with four boys who ventured into the Arabian Sea near Mumbai’s Juhu area found deceased. Rajasthan reported five fatalities and numerous snake bites.

The Government of Gujarat announced a relief package of ₹2.4 billion (US$29 million) for farmers, addressing damage to crops and trees across 130,000 hectares (320,000 acres) of land.

Between June 16 and 17, Biparjoy affected an estimated 1.2 million people with winds of 90–120 km/h (55–75 mph), causing four fatalities, five injuries, and damage to 2,460 houses, with 190 houses destroyed.

The history of cyclones and hurricanes impacting Pakistan underscores the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events and the pressing need for robust disaster preparedness and response systems.

As the current threat posed by Cyclone Asna looms, the lessons learned from past cyclones remain crucial. Effective forecasting, timely evacuations, and comprehensive relief efforts are essential to mitigate the impacts of such storms and enhance the resilience of affected communities.

Moving forward, continued investment in disaster management and infrastructure will be vital in reducing the adverse effects of future cyclones and safeguarding lives and livelihoods in Pakistan.

Cyclone Gulab and Shaheen

Cyclonic Storm Gulab and Severe Cyclonic Storm Shaheen were notable cyclones of the 2021 North Indian Ocean season. Gulab originated from a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal on September 24, 2021.

It made landfall in Andhra Pradesh, India, on September 26, then weakened overland and degenerated into a remnant low. The system later emerged into the Arabian Sea, where it reformed into Cyclone Shaheen on October 1. Shaheen intensified as it moved westward, making landfall in northern Oman on October 3 as a Category 1-equivalent cyclone before rapidly weakening and dissipating the following day.

In India, Cyclone Gulab caused flooding and damage, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, leading to the evacuation of over 46,000 people and significant transportation disruptions. In Pakistan, Cyclone Shaheen brought heavy rains and strong winds, leading to flooding in Karachi and other coastal areas.

The storm caused light rainfall and gusty winds, with some areas receiving up to 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain. It led to road inundations, power outages, and casualties in Karachi, including one fatality due to electrocution. Both cyclones prompted widespread precautionary measures and relief efforts.

Cyclone Phet

Cyclone Phet, a very severe cyclonic storm, was a formidable force that impacted Oman, Western India, and Pakistan in June 2010. Originating in the Arabian Sea on May 31, Phet rapidly intensified, reaching peak sustained winds of 155 km/h (95 mph).

On June 2, it made landfall in Oman, where it unleashed a record-breaking 603 mm (23.7 in) of rain in Qurayyat, resulting in widespread flooding and significant damage. The storm caused 24 fatalities in Oman and inflicted approximately $780 million in damages.

As Phet moved northeast, it weakened but continued to produce heavy rainfall across Pakistan, including 370 mm (15 in) in Gwadar, and made landfall near Karachi on June 6. The cyclone’s impact was severe, with flooding damaging thousands of homes and infrastructure, including the Makran Coastal Highway and several ports.

Approximately 200,000 people were affected in Pakistan, with damages estimated at $81 million. Karachi experienced extensive power outages, electrocutions, and infrastructure collapses.

Relief efforts included setting up numerous camps, deploying medical teams, and providing emergency supplies. In India, while Phet alleviated drought conditions, it also caused significant flooding and damage.

Cyclone Onil

Cyclone Onil, the inaugural named tropical cyclone in the northern Indian Ocean, developed from an area of convection southwest of India on October 1, 2004.

By October 2, Onil reached its zenith with winds of 100 km/h (60 mph) and a barometric pressure of 990 mbar.

However, as it neared the Gujarat coast, dry air caused a rapid weakening, transforming the cyclone into a depression. Onil made landfall near Porbandar on October 10 and eventually dissipated. In anticipation, thousands of residents in southeastern Pakistan and northwestern India were evacuated.

The storm unleashed moderate to heavy rainfall in Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan, causing flash floods and severe disruptions. The aftermath was devastating, with significant flooding in southeastern Pakistan, the collapse of drainage systems, and extensive agricultural damage.

Hyderabad experienced considerable infrastructure damage, and Karachi reported nine fatalities due to storm-related incidents, with power outages persisting for over 48 hours.

The cyclone inundated approximately 607 square kilometres in Sindh, destroying 70% of the cotton crop and leaving at least 300 fishermen missing.

The retrospective analysis reveals a consistent pattern of hurricanes in Pakistan and the surrounding region. Notably, the country experienced Cyclone Biparjoy, an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm of the 2023 North Indian Ocean season.

Cyclonic Storm Gulab and Severe Cyclonic Storm Shaheen were significant cyclones during the 2021 North Indian Ocean season. Gulab originated from a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal on September 24, 2021. Currently, Pakistan’s coastal areas are on high alert due to Cyclone Asna.

The frequent occurrence of hurricanes raises a critical question: Are we prepared for crisis management in such emergency situations?

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