With the weakening of cyclone Biparjoy into a depression, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has given the green light for Balochistan’s fishermen to return to work.
The PMD, in its latest advisory, has declared that fishing activities can resume in Balochistan immediately, while Sindh’s fishermen can recommence their operations from Sunday. Per the PMD, the cyclonic storm Biparjoy has moved northeastward in the past 12 hours and has been downgraded into a depression.
Cyclone Biparjoy’s Path and Impact
The system, currently over southwest Rajasthan, India and the adjoining areas of southeast Pakistan in Tharparker, is predicted to further weaken into a low-pressure area over Rajasthan. This change will result in heavy rain and wind in the impacted regions.
In the face of the approaching cyclone, over 180,000 people from India’s Gujarat state and Pakistan’s Sindh province had to evacuate the cyclone’s predicted path. Two men in Gujarat lost their lives to the flooding, while 23 others suffered injuries. In contrast, Pakistan saw minimal impact, with some rainfall reported in parts of Karachi, which was previously on high alert.
Sindh’s Response to Cyclone
Sindh’s Chief Secretary, Dr. Mohammad Sohail Rajput, met with a four-member UN delegation led by Julien Harneis, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Affairs at the United Nations. The meeting agenda included discussions on the response to Cyclone Biparjoy and the rehabilitation of the flood-affected areas in 2022.
During the session, Rajput confirmed that the coastal storm didn’t severely impact Sindh. The UN delegation commended the Sindh government for timely actions, ensuring people were relocated to safer locations. The team further recognized the effective coordination between all government departments in the crisis response. In a subsequent announcement, the Karachi Commissioner’s Office instructed all authorities to restart educational activities in the city.
