Cyclone may bring rain in Sindh, Balochistan
The cyclonic conditions have developed with a deep depression over the central-east Arabian Sea
Cyclone may cause rain in parts of Sindh and Balochistan. PHOTO: ONLINE
ISLAMABAD/KARACHI:
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a cyclone warning on Monday for the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan with a tropical storm expected to make landfall within the next five days.
The cyclonic conditions have developed with a deep depression over the central-east Arabian Sea and are anticipated to move north-northwest in the next 24 hours.
Although the tropical cyclone is not expected to hit Pakistan directly, the coastal belt is likely to receive heavy rainfall, which may also trigger flash floods in the region.
Talking to The Express Tribune, PMD Director General Ghulam Rasul said the cyclone’s impact in Balochistan would be in the form of torrential rains followed by gusty winds. Warnings, he added, have been issued for necessary pre-emptive measures.
Rasul claimed that cyclones often formed in the Bay of Bengal between 1981 and 2000, but they had started forming in the Arabian Sea due to the increase in the surface temperature of the sea. After 2000, he added, every year one or two tropical cyclones have been forming in the Arabian Sea. In the past 15 years, three tropical cyclones have hit Pakistan.
Considering the severity of the situation, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also directed the authorities to take necessary measures to avoid loss of life and property.
According to a press release, the NDMA has activated its national emergency operation centre to monitor the situation round the clock.
Around 25mm to 30mm rainfall with wind speed up to 40km is expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar, Thatta, Badin and Sujawal within the next 12 hours, officials of the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) said. Abdul Qayoom Bhutto, the TCWC director, said the cyclone was about 730km south of Karachi. The current speed of the cyclone is 15km per hour and the tides are expected to reach up to 15 feet.
“The movement seems very slow [at the moment] but it can gain speed with the passage of time. The cyclone may hit parts of Sindh and Balochistan,” he added.
Fishermen have already been advised not to venture out in the sea as conditions along Sindh and Balochistan coasts are likely to remain rough till Friday.
Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) chairperson Mohammad Ali Shah said the fishermen had observed the change in sea conditions and were not taking the risk of going into the deep sea.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 9th, 2015.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a cyclone warning on Monday for the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan with a tropical storm expected to make landfall within the next five days.
The cyclonic conditions have developed with a deep depression over the central-east Arabian Sea and are anticipated to move north-northwest in the next 24 hours.
Although the tropical cyclone is not expected to hit Pakistan directly, the coastal belt is likely to receive heavy rainfall, which may also trigger flash floods in the region.
Talking to The Express Tribune, PMD Director General Ghulam Rasul said the cyclone’s impact in Balochistan would be in the form of torrential rains followed by gusty winds. Warnings, he added, have been issued for necessary pre-emptive measures.
Rasul claimed that cyclones often formed in the Bay of Bengal between 1981 and 2000, but they had started forming in the Arabian Sea due to the increase in the surface temperature of the sea. After 2000, he added, every year one or two tropical cyclones have been forming in the Arabian Sea. In the past 15 years, three tropical cyclones have hit Pakistan.
Considering the severity of the situation, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also directed the authorities to take necessary measures to avoid loss of life and property.
According to a press release, the NDMA has activated its national emergency operation centre to monitor the situation round the clock.
Around 25mm to 30mm rainfall with wind speed up to 40km is expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar, Thatta, Badin and Sujawal within the next 12 hours, officials of the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) said. Abdul Qayoom Bhutto, the TCWC director, said the cyclone was about 730km south of Karachi. The current speed of the cyclone is 15km per hour and the tides are expected to reach up to 15 feet.
“The movement seems very slow [at the moment] but it can gain speed with the passage of time. The cyclone may hit parts of Sindh and Balochistan,” he added.
Fishermen have already been advised not to venture out in the sea as conditions along Sindh and Balochistan coasts are likely to remain rough till Friday.
Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) chairperson Mohammad Ali Shah said the fishermen had observed the change in sea conditions and were not taking the risk of going into the deep sea.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 9th, 2015.