Chairman NDMA, Lt. General Inam Haider Malik presided National Coordination Conference to review the development of ‘Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm’ (ESCS) BIPARJOY over Arabian Sea in PDMA Sindh Headquarter, Karachi. Representatives of relevant stakeholders including PMD, PDMAs Sindh & Balochistan, K-electric, PMSA HQ, DDMAs, Radio Pakistan and APP participated in session. PMD briefed that BIPARJOY has moved further northward during last 12 hours and now lies at a distance of about 600km south of Karachi, 580km south of Thatta & 710km southeast of Ormara. Maximum sustained surface winds are 160-180 Km/hour and gusts 200 Km/hour around the system center. Whereby favorable environmental conditions are supporting the system to maintain its severity. ESCS BIPARJOY is most likely to track further northward until 14 June morning, then recurve north-eastward and cross between Keti Bandar (Southeast Sindh).It is likely to cause above 100mm rainfall in Karachi and extreme rain spells in Sajawal, Badin and Thatta around 200-300mm from 13 June onwards. NEOC provided an update of potential impacts including heavy rains, thunderstorms and winds in south and southeast Sindh (Karachi, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar & Mirpurkhas) from evening of 13 June onwards; damage to weak structures due to winds; storm surge and urban flooding along the coast and rough to very rough sea conditions with high-intensity squalls that will prevent fishermen from venturing out into the open sea. NEOC is continuously monitoring and sharing information with all stakeholders and the public through webpage-based projections of BIPARJOY’s tracks and impacts on coastal areas. PDMAs of Sindh and Balochistan shared their contingency plan, humanitarian impact, mass communication efforts, risk assessment, and logistics support for areas at risk of disaster. Chairman NDMA instructed PDMAs to conduct a local-level needs assessment and mock exercises, deploy manpower and machinery, and work closely with relevant departments in areas at risk. He informed the forum that NDMA is in close coordination with PMD, PDMA Sindh & Balochistan, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Maritime Security Authority (PMSA), Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) issuing advisories and guidelines to all concerned stakeholders at national and provincial levels to undertake proactive preparedness and mitigation measures. NDMA urges public to stay informed and follow local authorities’ guidance in any emergency situation due to the cyclone.
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