Shifting of villagers underway; residents of 70 dangerous buildings in Karachi are to be shifted to safer areas
Karachi, Sindh
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that around 32466 people of district Sujawal, Badin, and Thatta and residents of 70 dangerous buildings of Karachi are prone to the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) `BIPARJOY’ likely to hit the coastal belt on June 15.
“We are taking all-out measures to shift the people to secure areas and removing loose installations like billboards, sign boards, and such other weak structures to avoid any untoward incident.”
He said this while addressing a press conference at CM House regarding the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) `BIPARJOY’ at CM House on Monday.
Flanked by provincial ministers, Sharjeel Memon, Nasir Shah, CM said that a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) `BIPARJOY’ over the East-Central Arabian Sea has further moved northward. He added that under the existing upper-level steering winds, it was most likely to track further in the North-Northeast direction towards Southeast Sindh-Indian Gujarat coast.
Shah quoted the PDMA and Met Office reports saying “Now cyclonic storm lies near Latitude 19.5°N & Longitude 67.7°E at about 600 km South of Karachi, 580 km South of Thatta and 710 km southeast of Ormara. He added that maximum sustained surface winds were 160-180 Km/hour gusts 180 Km/hour around the system center and maximum wave height was 35-40 feet.
The favorable environmental conditions (sea surface temperature of 30-31°C, low vertical wind shear & upper-level divergence) are supporting the system to maintain its intensity., the CM said and added under the existing upper-level steering winds, the ESCS “BIPARJOY” was most likely to track further Northward until 14 June morning, then recurve Northeastward and cross between Keti Bandar (Southeast Sindh) and Indian Gujarat coast on 15 June afternoon as a VSCS.
Possible Impacts: Talking about the impact of the storm, Murad Ali Shah said that with its probable approach to the southeast Sindh coast, widespread wind-dust/thunderstorm rain with some very heavy/extremely heavy falls accompanied by squally high-intensity winds of 80-100Km/hour likely in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar & Umerkot districts during 13-17 June.
Shah said that Dust/thunderstorm-rains with few heavy falls and accompanied by winds of 60-80 Km/hour were likely in Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allayar, Mirpurkhas districts from 14-16 June. He added that the winds may cause damage to loose and vulnerable structures such as Kutcha houses and solar panels.
Quoting the PDMA and MET office reports, the chief minister said that a Storm surge of three to five meters or 8-12 feet was expected at the land falling points such as (Keti Bandar and around. Therefore, he said that through the district administration, Pak Navy, and Pak Army Fishermen have been called back from the sea and have been directed not to go fishing.
Measures taken in Karachi: The CM said that the government has imposed a complete ban on 9th June under section 144 Cr. P.C. on fishing, swimming, bathing, and sailing effectively from today (11 June). He directed KMC, DMCs, and Cantonment boards to immediately remove billboards, signboards, and other advertisement material on 9th June. He added that Commissioner Karachi Iqbal Memon has been directed to take strict measures.
Shah announced an emergency in all major hospitals of Karachi Division and ordered availability of the doctors and paramedical staff during the storm period. He ordered the availability of dewatering pumps on all choking points to ensure smooth drainage of storm water.
The directed SBCA, DCs, and cantonment boards to take necessary measures regarding dangerous buildings and scaffolding in under-construction buildings to avert any potential damage.
The CM said that Commissioner Karachi Iqbal Memon, on his directives, held a meeting with all relevant authorities to discuss the emergent situation and ensure implementation of directions like the implementation of section 144CrPC, evacuation of people from dangerous buildings, removal of scaffolding/cranes, loose material, etc. from under construction buildings, hoardings, billboards by 13th June, placing high alert in hospitals, installation of dewatering pumps in low lying areas, evacuation from Ibrahim Hyderi, Rehri Goth, Lath Basti, Chashma Goth, and others, winching of drains, placement of boards by DHA at dug up roads, cleaning of nullahs, establishing control rooms including at Commissioner office and DC offices.
The CM said that a control room with a 1299 number has been established at the Commissioner’s Office.
To a question, the CM said that 70 buildings declared most dangerous may be vacated. He added that they would not be made homeless but may be shifted to a safer place by the commissioner.
Sujawal: The chief minister presiding over a meeting at the Conference Room of 31st Creek, Shah Bander, and then at Keti Bander directed the commissioner Hyderabad Bilal Memon to ensure the safety and security of the people.
The meeting was attended by Minister LG Nasir Shah, DG Rangers Major General Azhar Waqas, Coastal commander Rear Admiral Raja Rabnawaz, GOC Hyderabad Major Gen. Mohammad Hassain, Commodore Jawad Khwaja of Pakistan Maritime, Brigadier Tariq Mehmood of Corp 5, Karachi.
The Commissioner briefing the CM said that out of the vulnerable 41 dehs, 23 were located in Jati, 10 in Taluka Shahbundar, and eight in Kharo Chhan. “In these three talukas 105 villages, 9194 households, 53522 population, and 6120 livestock were in vulnerable condition.
Badin: The coastal areas of district Badin mainly fall in two talukas- Badin and Shaheed Fazal Rahu are vulnerable. The coastal belt of both talukas is almost 50 Km. Three union councils, 12 dehs, 68 villages, 3668 households, and around 32,000 population likely to be affected in Badin taluka. Therefore, the CM said that 21 relief camps and 20 medical camps, 30 tractors, and eight boats have been arranged.
In taluka Shaheed Fazil Rahu once union council, eight dehs, 22 households, and 1416 population is prone to the cyclone. Mr. Shah said that 15 camps, 10 medical camps, 20 tractors, and five boats have been arranged for transpiration.
The CM said that the District Control Room in the office of Deputy Commissioner Badin with phone Nos: 0297- 920020-920013-870660 has been established.
Thatta: Over eight dehs and creeks of Keti Bunder and Kharochhan were prone to the cyclone, therefore a population of around 13950 would be affected.
In the area of Ghorabari taluka, 955 houses with a population of 7750 would likely be affected.
Murad Ali Shah told the media that the Pak Army, Pak Navy, District Police, DHO office, Town Committees Rescue 1122, Livestock dept, PPHI, utility stores, District Education Officers, and the NGOs were working to avoid any loss of life. He added that the people who were prone to cyclone would have to vacate their houses for shifting to a safe area, otherwise, we would remove them forcibly because their life was dear to us.
The district administration and Pak navy have evacuated nearly 500 villagers and evacuation is underway for the remaining 1500 villagers. Temporary placement of villagers at campsites at Katibunder has been developed.
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