The people of costal areas of Sindh have started returning homes since the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) confirmed on Friday that Cyclone Biparjoy has weakened.
According to the latest advisory from the PMD, the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) ‘BIPARJOY’ over the northeast Arabian Sea has weakened into a Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) after crossing the Indian Gujarat coast near Jakhau port.
The cyclone made landfall and brought heavy rain to both the Indian and Pakistani coasts late Thursday.
In India’s western state of Gujarat, at least two people lost their lives after being swept away by floodwaters just before the cyclone hit. However, in Pakistan, the cyclone had a minimal impact, with some areas in the southern metropolis of Karachi experiencing rainfall. Karachi remains on high alert.
As a precautionary measure, more than 180,000 people were evacuated in India and Pakistan over the past few days in anticipation of the cyclone named Biparjoy, which means ‘disaster’ or ‘calamity’ in the Bengali language.
The latest advisory from the PMD indicates that the cyclone is currently located at a latitude of 23.8°N and longitude 69.4°E, approximately 110 kilometers south of Badin, 200 kilometers southeast of Keti Bandar, and 180 kilometers southeast of Thatta.
Climate Change Minister Senator Sherry Rehman stated that a meeting would be held to discuss the safe return of affected individuals to their homes. The Sindh government had evacuated over 67,000 people from the vulnerable districts of Thatta, Sujawal, and Badin, providing them shelter in 39 relief camps.
While expressing gratitude that they were safe from the cyclone’s destruction, Senator Rehman acknowledged the significant impact on people’s livelihoods and mentioned that efforts were being made to send them back to Sujawal. She also highlighted the challenges of reaching every affected area due to the rapidly growing population.
As part of the evacuation efforts, around 8,000-9,000 livestock were transferred to safe locations. Senator Rehman noted that Cyclone Biparjoy had endured longer than any previous cyclone.
Overall, the situation is now under control as the cyclone weakens and people begin to return home, with authorities closely monitoring the weather conditions and coordinating relief efforts.
Meanwhile, Karachi authorities allowed the resumption of academic examinations from tomorrow.
In a notification today, Karachi Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Memon ordered the “resumption of examinations and other education-related activities” from June 17.
Citing a previous notice dated June 13 to cancel the said activities, the notification noted, “Due to reduction in the severity of cyclone, the threat of cyclonic danger for Karachi division has reduced.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said life was returning to normal in the areas along the country’s coastline as the danger posed by Biparjoy had been averted.
He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Sindh government, and law enforcement agencies for aiding in the safety measures taken to prepare for the cyclone’s landfall.
“I am grateful to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who assured me of all kinds of help and cooperation,” he said.
Crediting the Sindh government for taking “robust measures”, Shah highlighted that his party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari “continuously kept giving directions for the protection of people’s lives and property”.
