The energy ministry warned on Tuesday of a likely increase of three hours in the load shedding amid disturbance in the fuel supply to the power plants in the wake of possible cyclone Biparjoy.

The power supply is likely to get interrupted in the country due to supply disruption of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the power plants, the Power Division tweeted.

The expected shortfall in the country may cross 7,000MW amid a likely decline of 1,500MW due to interrupted LNG supply to the power plants, it added.

With a likely increase in the shortfall, the division said that the load shedding could be increased by two to three hours. The country is experiencing around eight hours of load shedding on average.

The division also warned of power supply interruption of 2,400MW from coal power plants due to disruption in the supply of fuel. The diesel-run power plants would be used as a substitute for generating electricity.

Cyclone Biparjoy has intensified as an extremely severe cyclonic storm (ESCS) – category 3, with a sustained windspeed of approximately 140-150km/hr and gusts up to 200km/hr, according to government officials.

The Sindh government is planning to move 80,000 citizens out of the path of the cyclone, which is expected to bring winds of up to 150km/hr.

The cyclone was headed towards Karachi and it could cause mud houses to collapse, said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

“Winds are blowing in the city and there is drizzle,” he said in his Sindh Assembly address on Tuesday.

The Sindh CM said that the first priority was to protect the lives of the people, and their preparations regarding the cyclone were complete. “People should understand and keep the doors closed during the cyclone.”