KARACHI – Authorities in Sindh and Balochistan have issued a red alert and prohibited fishing and swimming along coastal areas as the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) “BIPARJOY” over the eastcentral Arabian Sea maintains its intensity and is only 770 kilometres from Karchi and 750 kilometres from Thatta.
Under Section 144, the management of Karachi’s southern port city enforced a full prohibition on venturing into the water for sailing, fishing, swimming, or bathing.
The restriction was implemented after the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a notice recommending fisherman not to enter into the sea from Monday, June 12th, 2023 onwards till the system is finished because “Arabian Sea conditions may become very rough/high, accompanied by high tides along the coast.”
As soon as the hurricane hits the coastal area, tides may surge up to 10 feet.
The system was situated 840 kilometres south of Karachi, 830 kilometres south of Thatta, and 930 kilometres southeast of Ormara, according to a Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) advisory released around 9.45 p.m. on Saturday.
According to the Met Department, the extremely severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy over the east-central Arabian Sea was maintaining its strength and had travelled north-northeastward over the last 12 hours.
“It is now located near Latitude 17.3°N and Longitude 67.4°E, approximately 840 kilometres south of Karachi, 830 kilometres south of Thatta, and 930 kilometres southeast of Ormara.”
The application of Section 144 will take effect on June 11 “until the end of the storm,” according to the announcement, with the restrictions aimed at preventing any adverse incidents of shipwreck and drowning.