Karachi will not be directly affected by the Cyclone Biparjoy; however, its impacts can hit the city: Sherry Rehman
ISLAMABAD, June 14 (SABAH): Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman says all state institutions including Rangers, Maritime Agency and Coast Guards are fully cooperating in making concerted efforts for evacuation of the people from the coastal belt in the wake of Cyclone Biparjoy.
Chairing the meeting to review arrangements in the face of Cyclone Biparjoy, Sherry Rehman said Karachi will not be directly affected by the cyclone; however, its impacts can hit the city.
She said seventy-five relief camps have been established in different schools and colleges in the areas which can be affected by the cyclone.
Sherry Rehman said the concerned authorities have also completed evacuation of the people from Kacha area to safer places last night.
She said so far sixty-two thousand people have been evacuated, while the billboards are also being removed from big cities for the safety of the people.
The Minister said the Prime Minister has constituted a high level committee to ensure complete preparedness in the wake of the cyclone.
She said the Federal as well as the provincial governments of Sindh and Balochistan in collaboration with all the concerned authorities are working to cope with any eventuality arising out of Cyclone Biparjoy.
Sherry Rehman said we are also making arrangements to ensure gas and electricity supply in the areas which can be affected. She said operation of small aircraft from Karachi International Airport will also be suspended this even to ensure safety of the people.
Speaking on this occasion, Chairman National disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik updated about evolving situation of the Biparjoy and the preparation of the government departments, ongoing evacuation phase and possible effects of Cyclone.
He said the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Biparjoy over northeast Arabian Sea has moved further north- northwestward during last 06 hours, and now lies about 340 kilometers south-southwest of Karachi, 355 km south- southwest Thatta and 275 km south-southwest of Keti Bandar.
He said maximum surface winds are 140-150 Kilometers per hour, gusts 170 Kilometer per hour with maximum wave height 30 feet.
The Chairman NDMA said the Biparjoy Cyclone likely to recurve North-northeastward and can landfall between Keti Bandar and Indian Gujarat coast today (Thursday) afternoon or in the evening as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm with packing winds of 100-120 Km per hour, gusting 140 km per hour.