Residents head to sea instead of staying away from it
Authorities have started removing unstable billboards due to fear of strong winds
KARACHI:
Like any other cyclone threat the city has faced, the warnings issued for Cyclone Nilofar making its way to the Pakistani coast has made residents head to the beach.
The lifeguards and law enforcers deployed at Sea View are now struggling to refrain the enthusiastic visitors. "Whistling will not work, do something else," said one lifeguard. "What can I do? Shall I go down on my knees and beg?" the second lifeguard asked, angrily.
These lifeguards have been deployed by the Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) and Aman Foundation as Cyclone Nilofar gained intensity. The administration has imposed Section 144 and closed the beach to visitors till Friday but residents are still making their way to the shore.
"We are here to enjoy the cyclone," claimed Rubina, who came from North Karachi. Having faith in the power of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi, whose shrine sits near the sea, she hoped the saint will save the city like he has done in the past.
Others are sceptical of the steps the administration has taken. "Maybe the government is also hoping that the saint will save the city and has failed to take any measures," said shop owner Abdul Wahid.
For their part, CBC spokesperson Amir Arbab said they have removed at least 40 unstable billboards. "We have issued notices to all advertising companies to submit the structure stability of all billboards installed around DHA and CBC as soon as possible," he said. "We have established a master control room at Sea View Beach Park and deployed at least 30 lifeguards and law enforcers."
Arbab also clarified that the CBC has formed a standard operating procedure to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone if it hits the coastal belt in Karachi.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological department, the intensity of the tropical cyclone went up from 'severe' to 'very severe'. On Tuesday evening, the cyclone was located southwest of Karachi and 1,030km south of Gwadar.
"The cyclone will continue to move in the northwest direction with a speed of 60km/hour and is expected to re-curve in the northeast direction, towards the adjoining coastal areas of lower Sindh and Indian Gujrat, on Wednesday. On Tuesday evening, the estimated central pressure of the cyclone was 990 hectopascals and the average sustained wind speed was 90-100 knots with gusts reaching up to 110 knots.
Under the influence of this cyclone, widespread rain and thundershowers with isolated heavy rainfall is expected to hit lower Sindh, including Karachi's coast, and the coastal areas of Balochistan. Strong gusty winds are also expected between Wednesday night and Friday.
The met office forecast said that the sea conditions along the Pakistani coast will be rough during the next three days. The fishermen are advised not to venture into the open sea and those who are already at sea are advised to head back before Wednesday.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2014.
Like any other cyclone threat the city has faced, the warnings issued for Cyclone Nilofar making its way to the Pakistani coast has made residents head to the beach.
The lifeguards and law enforcers deployed at Sea View are now struggling to refrain the enthusiastic visitors. "Whistling will not work, do something else," said one lifeguard. "What can I do? Shall I go down on my knees and beg?" the second lifeguard asked, angrily.
These lifeguards have been deployed by the Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) and Aman Foundation as Cyclone Nilofar gained intensity. The administration has imposed Section 144 and closed the beach to visitors till Friday but residents are still making their way to the shore.
"We are here to enjoy the cyclone," claimed Rubina, who came from North Karachi. Having faith in the power of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi, whose shrine sits near the sea, she hoped the saint will save the city like he has done in the past.
Others are sceptical of the steps the administration has taken. "Maybe the government is also hoping that the saint will save the city and has failed to take any measures," said shop owner Abdul Wahid.
For their part, CBC spokesperson Amir Arbab said they have removed at least 40 unstable billboards. "We have issued notices to all advertising companies to submit the structure stability of all billboards installed around DHA and CBC as soon as possible," he said. "We have established a master control room at Sea View Beach Park and deployed at least 30 lifeguards and law enforcers."
Arbab also clarified that the CBC has formed a standard operating procedure to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone if it hits the coastal belt in Karachi.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological department, the intensity of the tropical cyclone went up from 'severe' to 'very severe'. On Tuesday evening, the cyclone was located southwest of Karachi and 1,030km south of Gwadar.
"The cyclone will continue to move in the northwest direction with a speed of 60km/hour and is expected to re-curve in the northeast direction, towards the adjoining coastal areas of lower Sindh and Indian Gujrat, on Wednesday. On Tuesday evening, the estimated central pressure of the cyclone was 990 hectopascals and the average sustained wind speed was 90-100 knots with gusts reaching up to 110 knots.
Under the influence of this cyclone, widespread rain and thundershowers with isolated heavy rainfall is expected to hit lower Sindh, including Karachi's coast, and the coastal areas of Balochistan. Strong gusty winds are also expected between Wednesday night and Friday.
The met office forecast said that the sea conditions along the Pakistani coast will be rough during the next three days. The fishermen are advised not to venture into the open sea and those who are already at sea are advised to head back before Wednesday.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2014.