The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued an alert for Jinnah International Airport in Karachi as Cyclone Biparjoy approaches the coastal areas of Pakistan and India. The cyclone is expected to strengthen into an “extremely severe cyclonic storm” within the next 24 hours.
The CAA has instructed concerned authorities to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to address any emergency situations during the cyclone. They have also directed the addition of surplus weight to small aircraft and helicopters to help them withstand strong winds.
The electrical department has been ordered to repair any broken wires ahead of the bad weather and ensure the beacon lights at the airport’s control tower and other tall buildings are in good condition.
The cyclone is forecasted to bring heavy rainfall to several districts in Sindh, including Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparker, and Umerkot, from June 13-17. These areas may experience very heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds.
In Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, and Mirpurkhas districts, the cyclone is expected to bring thunderstorms, rain, and severe winds of 60-80 km/hour from June 13/14 to June 16.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the cyclone is currently located near latitude 18.1°N and longitude 67.5°E. It is likely to continue moving in a north-northeast direction for the next 24 hours before recurving northeastward on June 14. The cyclone is expected to make landfall between Keti Bandar (southeast Sindh) and the Indian Gujarat coast on June 15 as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS).
