Coastal areas are on high alert for a cyclone.

 Coastal areas are on high alert for a cyclone.

According to PMD, the cyclone's course is uncertain because of a "shift in upper-level steering winds."

Following the prohibition on coastal operations issued in advance of cyclonic storm Biparjoy over the Arabian Sea, fishing vessels could be seen anchored at the Karachi Fish Harbor. JALAL QURESHI/EXPRESS 

KARACHI:
After the provincial government of Pakistan issued a warning that a cyclonic storm over the Arabian Sea would intensify over the following 24 hours, coastal regions are now on high alert.


On Saturday, Cyclone Biparjoy, which was designated as being very severe, was estimated to be around 900 km straight south of Karachi as it proceeded on a north-northeastward course.

In advance of Cyclone Biparjoy, which is rated as a "very severe storm," authorities have instructed fishing towns to cease activities for the next five days.

"The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) "BIPARJOY" over east-central Arabian Sea, maintaining its intensity, further tracked north-northeastward during the past 12 hours and now lies near Latitude 16.7°N and Longitude 66.4°E at a distance of about 910km south of Karachi, 890km south of Thatta, and 990km southeast of Omari," according to the PMD.

READ: Baluchistan and Sindh are on high alert as a fierce cyclone approaches.

The coastal regions of Sindh and Baluchistan have been placed on alert, despite the fact that authorities are unsure of the cyclone's path in the upcoming days.

The weather agency noted that due to a shift in upper-level steering winds, there is ambiguity in global forecast models where some are projecting landfall around the Markan-north Oman coast while others show its route towards the Sindh-Indian Gujarat coastline.

"Given this uncertainty, the system is projected to maintain heading further north/northeastward for next 18-24 hours and then somewhat recurve to North-northwest,” it added.

The PMD bulletin also warned that due to the north-northeast track of Biparjoy, "rain-thunderstorm with some heavy falls and squally winds are expected in the Sindh-Makran coast from June 13 evening/night onwards".

Meanwhile, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) announced essential safety rules in reaction to the anticipated impact of the cyclone on the Southeast Arabian Sea. These recommendations are aimed at ensuring the well-being of ships and port facilities under bad weather conditions.