ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Sunday warned of squally winds and “extremely heavy” rain-thunderstorms in coastal areas of Pakistan as a raging cyclone intensified further, hovering over the Arabian Sea at a distance of only 760 kilometers from Pakistan’s commercial hub of Karachi. 

The Arabian Sea, which borders the country’s southern coastline, is susceptible to such weather systems. This week, a deep depression over the sea intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm, Cyclone Biparjoy, with waves rising as high as about 28 feet. 

The raging cyclone has since continued to drift toward the Pakistani coastline in the southern Sindh and southwestern Balochistan provinces, putting multiple key ports and cities at risk. 

“The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) ‘BIPARJOY’ over east-central Arabian Sea has further intensified into an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS), moved northward during last 12 hours and now lies near Latitude 18.1°N & Longitude 67.5°E at a distance of about 760km south of Karachi, 740km south of Thatta & 840km southeast of Ormara,” the PMD said in a statement. 

“Maximum sustained surface winds are 150-160 Km/hour gusts 180 Km/hour around the system center with and sea conditions being phenomenal around the system canter with maximum wave height 35-40 feet.” 

It said the favorable environmental conditions, including sea surface temperature of 30-32°C, low vertical wind shear and upper-level divergence, were supporting the weather system in maintaining its intensity. 

“Under the existing upper-level steering winds, the ESCS “BIPARJOY” is most likely to track further Northward until 14 June morning, then recurve Northeastward and cross between Keti Bandar (Southeast Sindh) and Indian Gujarat coast on 15 June afternoon as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS),” the Met Office said, adding its cyclone warning center in Karachi was monitoring the system and would accordingly issue updates. 

With its probable approach to the southeast Sindh coast, widespread wind-dust/thunderstorm rain with some very heavy/extremely heavy falls, accompanied with squally winds of 80-100km per hour are likely in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparker and Umerkot districts from June 13 till June 17, according to the PMD forecast. 

Dust/thunderstorm-rain with few heavy falls and accompanied with squally winds of 60-80 km per hour are likely in Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Mirpurkhas districts from June 13 till June 16. 

“Squally (high intensity) winds may cause damage to loose & vulnerable structures (Kutcha houses),” the PMD said. “Fishermen are advised not to venture in open sea till the system is over by 17 June, as the Arabian Sea conditions may get very rough/high accompanied with high tides along coast.” 

It advised authorities to remain alert during the forecast period. 

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said advised people to be aware of the weather conditions and stay away from the shorelines. 

“People should be aware of weather conditions and avoid going to the coastline,” it said. “Follow the instructions of the local administration and cooperate with them in case of emergency.” 

On Saturday, heavy rains swept through Pakistan’s northwest, causing several houses to collapse and leaving at least 25 people dead and 145 injured. 

Rains and hail hit the Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Karak districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, senior rescue officer Khateer Ahmed said, uprooting trees and knocking down power transmission towers. Officials were working to provide emergency relief to the injured, Ahmed said. 

Last year, monsoon rains and flooding devastated Pakistan, killing more than 1,700 people, affecting around 33 million people and displacing nearly 8 million.