The Met Office has predicted thunderstorms and rain in the country from Tuesday (tomorrow), as the country’s southern part braces for the cyclonic storm.
“A westerly wave is also likely to enter in upper parts of the country on 14th June (Wednesday),” said the PMD in a statement on the extremely severe cyclonic storm, Biparjoy.
Biparjoy was over east-central Arabian Sea located at 19.5°N and 67.7°E and 600km south of Karachi and 580km south of Thatta and was likely to move further northward till Wednesday morning.
Under the influence of this weather system:
Widespread wind-dust/thunderstorm rain with some very heavy/extremely heavy falls accompanied with squally winds of 80-100 Km/hour gusting 120km/hour likely in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparker, Mirpurkhas & Umerkot districts during 13-17 June
Dust/thunderstorm-rain with few heavy falls & accompanied with squally winds of 60-80 km/hour likely in Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allayar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, from 14 -16 June. While rain-wind-thunderstorm is also expected in Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Zhob, Barkhan, Musa Khel, Naseerabad, Sibbi, Lasbella, Kalat, Khuzdar and Makran coast during the period.
Wind-dust/thunderstorm-rain is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Bannu, Tank, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan, Islamabad, Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal & Lahore on 13th and 14th June.
More rain-dust/thunderstorm with a few hailstorms (Isolated heavy falls) is expected in Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur), Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Bannu, Tank, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan, Islamabad, Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Gujranwala, Narowal, Sialkot, Kasur, Lahore, Jhelum, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Mandi Bahauddin, Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, DG Khan, Multan, Kot Adu, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar & Rahim Yar Khan from June 15 to 18 with occasional gaps.
The Met Office warned that squally (high intensity) winds might cause damage to loose and vulnerable structures (Katcha houses), including solar panels etc from Wednesday to Saturday.
It added that a storm surge of 3-3.5 metres (8-12 feet) was expected at the land falling point (Keti Bandar and around) which can inundate the low-lying settlements and may cause coastal flooding during the period.
Fishermen were advised not to venture into the open sea till the system is over by June 17, as the Arabian Sea conditions may get very rough/high accompanied by high tides along the coast. Farmers were advised to manage their activities keeping in view the weather forecast.
“Tourists are advised to remain extra cautious to avoid any untoward situation during the wet spell,” it said, “the general public is advised to stay at safe places during the dust storm/wind-thunderstorm & extremely heavy falls.”