Fishermen missing as Phet approaches

Chairman Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum Mohammed Ali Shah said on Friday that about four fishing boats were still missing.


Ppi June 04, 2010

KARACHI: Chairman Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) Mohammed Ali Shah said on Friday that about four fishing boats were missing and contact with them could not be made.

He said that all the other missing boats had returned to their respective areas.

Shah said the government was paying lip service as foolproof practical steps are yet to be adopted for safety of the fishermen, their boats and coastline villages.

He said thousands of fishermen are in danger owing to high tides in the seas, adding that emergency measures are required for saving the vulnerable fishermen.

Fisherman in coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan are at grave danger due to cyclone, he said, complaining that the government had failed to shift the fishermen living in far-flung areas to safe places, adding fishermen of coastal areas including Karachi, Badin, Thatta and Makran are living under the constant fear.

He said that tropical cyclone Phet could hit the coastal areas of the Sindh and Balochistan within next 24 hours, so the administration should take steps on war-footing basis to save the population of coastal areas.

Cyclone not likely to weaken further

Met Office on the same day, said that tropical cyclone PHET may cause urban/flash flooding in Balochistan and Sindh including Karachi when it hits the coastal areas of Balochistan on Friday and Sindh on Saturday evening.

According to the seventh warning by the Met Office, the severe tropical cyclone is not likely to weaken further before approaching Pakistan’s coastal areas.

Estimates suggest the strong possibility of its recurring northeast towards Pakistan coastal areas and the recurring may start this evening.

The cyclone is expected to approach Pakistan’s coastal areas on Saturday evening and make landfall on Sunday (with maximum sustained winds 100-120 km/hour near the centre) with associated storm surge of 4-6 meters.

COMMENTS (3)

Cdr Tariq Muneeb | 13 years ago | Reply there are few people in Karachi who can imagine the devastating effects of this cyclone if it hits Karachi.Govt also seems non serious to involve the public for its awareness especially in Karachi.We must take it serious and gear ourself to help the slums dwellers who live under loose shuttering,fishermen must be advised to keep their boats at more safer places,nobody should be standing in the path of likely flying derbies.Strom drains need more attention of concern officials,and lastly evacuation plans be clearly spelled. Thanks & regards
Hunain Ali | 13 years ago | Reply "After Phet's encounter with Oman, the storm will probably be at tropical storm strength when it makes its second landfall in Pakistan. Heavy rains from Phet will be the major danger for Pakistan, and serious flooding can be expected over southern Pakistan." I read that Wunderground and found it valuable enough to share.
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