Cyclone Tauktae to not make landfall on Pakistan's coastal belt: Met dept

Met office says cyclone will cause moderate rains, winds in several districts of Sindh

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) spokesperson said on Sunday that Cyclone Tauktae will not make a landfall along Pakistan's coastal belt amid reports that it had intensified into a "Very Severe Cyclonic Storm."

Met Office Spokesperson Sardar Sarfraz, while talking to Radio Pakistan, said that the cyclone would pass without any impact on the country's coastal belt.

Sarfraz, however, added that the cyclone will cause rains along with strong winds in Thatta, Tharparkar, Badin, Mirpurkhas and Umer Kot. He added that the rains will be moderate.

As per the Met dept official, dusty winds currently blowing may intensify, bringing up the temperature of the city, mainly due to the cyclone's activity in the Arabian Sea.

The authority said in its advisory released today that, "Severe Cyclonic Storm Tauktae intensified into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS), [and] moved further Northwestward at a speed of 15 Km during last 12 hours."

The PMD said that the cyclone is currently at a distance of about 1,210 km south-southeast of Karachi.

Read Cyclone 'Tauktae' threatens coastal regions of Pakistan, India

"[In view of the] prevailing environmental and meteorological conditions, dust/thunderstorm-rain with few moderate to heavy falls with gusty winds of 60-80 Kmph are likely to occur in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparker, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot & Sanghar districts during 17- 19 May 2021."

"The system is likely to move further northwestward and reach Indian Gujarat by 18th May morning,'" it said in an advisory.

According to the authority, Karachi, Hyderabad and Nawabshah districts [are] likely to experience hot to very hot weather with gusty winds, blowing dust during the next two days.

"Sea Conditions will remain rough to very rough and fishermen are advised not to venture in the sea till 19 May 2021," it maintained.

A day before, on Saturday, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, while presiding over a meeting regarding the Cyclone Tauktae, declared emergency in all the districts located along the coastline as part of precautionary measures to avoid any untoward situation.

"A control room should be established at the chief secretary's office to keep close coordination with all the districts, in respect of their requirements and giving them necessary instruction on behalf of the government," he said.