LAHORE MIRROR — Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Senator Sherry Rehman said on Thursday that cyclone Biparjoy had “slowed down” and will not make landfall before nightfall now.
Speaking during a press conference in the federal capital, the federal minister said it was previously expected that the cyclone would hit the shore around 11:00am.
“But, since the speed at which it is moving has slowed by 6-7km, its times of landfall is delayed and it is now expected to hit the shores until after dusk.”
However, the senator stressed that while the cyclone had “slowed down”, its core was still “intense”, and the areas identified earlier as vulnerable still needed to stay alert.
“We had earlier marked four districts at risk. Thatta, Badin, Sujawal and Malir (Karachi). Now, since the trajectory is towards the northeast, the Tharparkar region also needs to be aware of the impact of the cyclone,” she said.
We will update you regularly since these storms are unpredictable, Rehman said, adding that the storm was still heading towards the northeast.
She said that strong winds and heavy rainfalls are still expected to go up to 300mm in some areas, adding that while the cyclone had moved away from Karachi, its effects would be seen in these areas.
“A flood warning has been given in the sea,” she said. She warned that winds are blowing at a speed of 120-140km/h while waves of 30 feet and more are rising in the sea.
Briefing the media about the latest situation, she said the evacuation process in the affected coastal belt areas had been completed, and some 82000 people had been shifted to safer places.
“More than 8000 cattle have also been transferred,” she said.
“All institutions including Navy, Police Force, Rangers are involved,” Rehman said, adding that the Air Force is not needed now but would provide assistance when needed.
She further shared that the evacuation of people was a difficult task.
“It is not easy to leave your home; however, people are being provided with all facilities including cooked food, clean water.”
The climate change minister shared that 87 medical units are also in the field, adding that 63 camps have already been set up in coastal areas while another 106 camps are on standby.
Furthermore, Rehman said that repair work is happening in the Sujawal grid.
“90 feeders may be affected in coastal areas. Out of these four feeders were out which were restored after repair,” she said.
The climate further shared that IT Minister Syed Aminul Haque is also active in communication issues.
The climate minister addressed people’s concerns regarding the schedule and plan for air travel: “If the wind speed is high, the flights will be stopped.”
She also added that small aircraft are still not allowed to fly and air airports have been instructed not to take risks.
Rehman added that the monsoon will be severe after the storm, and the heat will be more intense.
“The areas that were affected earlier are being affected again and again,” she said.
She tweeted earlier: “ALERT #CycloneBiperjoy has slowed down, but core remains intense. It will not make landfall before nightfall now. More information will be shared soon from @ndmapk.”
SOURCE: GEO
