Karachi’s local government ban on Saturday prohibited public access to beaches, citing the impending threat from the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) “Birparjoy.”
As per a notification by the Karachi Commissioner, the ban, which extends across Karachi’s territorial waters, prohibits activities such as fishing, sailing, and swimming from June 11 until the storm subsides. The move is a preemptive measure to prevent potential maritime accidents or drowning incidents.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has urged relevant authorities to maintain heightened vigilance as the cyclone continues to intensify over the east-central Arabian Sea. The cyclone is roughly 1,040 kilometers south of Karachi and continues to track northeastward.
Deputy and assistant commissioners have been authorized to enforce this ban in collaboration with the senior superintendent of police in the city. Any individuals violating these orders will be prosecuted under section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The PMD has reported that the cyclone’s sustained surface winds are reaching speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour, with gusts of up to 150 kilometers per hour. Current environmental conditions, such as high sea surface temperatures and low vertical wind shear, are further fuelling the cyclone’s intensification.
However, uncertainty regarding the cyclone’s trajectory remains due to changes in upper-level steering winds. While some models predict the cyclone heading towards the Oman-Pakistan Makran coast, others suggest a path towards the Indian Gujarat-Pakistan Sindh coast.
Given this uncertainty, the system will continue tracking north/northeastward over the next 36 to 48 hours. The PMD’s cyclone warning center in Karachi continues to monitor the system and will issue updates as necessary.
