Cyclone to bring gusty winds, rain in Sindh as fishermen put on alert

The depression over the Arabian Sea has intensified into a cyclonic storm and is likely to cause severe thunderstorms and gusty winds in parts of Sindh including Karachi and the provincial government has warned the fishermen to stay away from the sea, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

According to Met Director Sardar Sarfaraz, the tropical cyclone has formed in the southeastern Arabian Sea, which is 1440 km off the coast of Karachi. It will pass through India’s Gujarat. “The system is likely to intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 12 to 18 hours,” an alert by the weather department stated. 

“Karachi won’t be as affected by the cyclone,” Sarfaraz reassured, adding that the rain with strong winds is expected in multiple parts of Sindh. 

Widespread rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds of 70-90 kph are likely to occur in Thatta, Badin, Thar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, and Sanghar districts from May 17 to May 20, the alert added. 

The first cyclone of 2021 (One-A) is organizing in the Arabian Sea. Cyclone #Tauktae will trek north along India's west coast producing heavy rains throughout. Preliminary landfall forecast is for Category 2 in far northwest India or southern Pakistan. https://t.co/qGdHTcDE3G pic.twitter.com/zRX1J9PR2q

— UW-Madison CIMSS (@UWCIMSS) May 14, 2021

Fishermen have been instructed to refrain from going into the sea during this time. 

On Saturday, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah called an emergency meeting to discuss the precautionary measures to be taken against the storm. 

Here are decisions that were taken: 

* Billboards across Karachi to be removed
* Doctors and paramedic staff to be made available at hospitals round the clock 
* Special control rooms to be set up district-wise 
* Emergency imposed at KMC, fire stations, and rescue services 
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah chaired the meeting over the situation related to the Arabian Sea cyclone, an aide to the CM said.

Murtaza Wahab, Adviser to Chief Minister of Sindh on Information, in a social media statement said that the session reviewed the arrangements to tackle the likely emergency situation due to the Cyclone Tauktae.

Tropical Cyclone Tauktae, is expected to make a landfall at the western coast of India.

Director Met Office in a briefing in the meeting said that under the influence of the weather system in the Arabian Sea heavy rainfall with thunderstorm is expected in Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Umarkot, Tharparkar and Sanghar districts.

“From May 17-20 rainfall is also expected in Karachi, Hub, Lasbela, Hyderabad and Jamshoro,” the weather official said in the briefing.

Sindh Chief Minister directed the Administrator Karachi to ensure the removal of billboards from the city. The CM also directed for the constitution of an emergency plan team, which takes steps in consultation with the met office and the PDMA.

“Tharparkar will receive heavy rainfall if the cyclone makes its landfall at the Gujarat coast,” the chief minister said. He also directed officials to take steps to tackle the situation.

The Chief Minister also directed Commissioner Karachi, KMC and DMCs to ensure clearance of the choking points at nullahs. He also directed the chief secretary to set up a control room with a BS-19 officer as its head. He also directed DCs to constitute a control room at their offices.

The district administration of Badin has declared an emergency and a red alert in coastal areas in view of the cyclonic situation.

Deputy Commissioner Badin has imposed section 144 and prohibited fishermen to venture into the sea due to the cyclone.

The fishermen already in the sea have been warned about the situation with the help of the Pakistan Navy.

The Rangers, police and other government agencies have been alerted to tackle any emergency situation.

In view of the cyclonic conditions in Arabian Sea district administration Karachi Central has sent warning notices to the owners of the signboards warning them to remove the signboards forthwith, which could cause losses of life and property.

“The billboard owners will be responsible for the losses of life and property in case of non-compliance and would have to face cases,” the district administration warned.