NDMA Advisory with Latest Information about Tropical Cyclone "BIPARJOY" Update (June 13, 2023)

ADVISORY: Tropical Cyclone "BIPARJOY" Intensifies to Category 3

Stay up to date with the latest information on Tropical Cyclone "BIPARJOY." As of 0100 hrs PST, the cyclone has intensified into an "Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm" (ESCS) of Category 3. It is currently positioned near Latitude 19.9° N and Longitude 67.8° E, approximately 550 km south of Karachi and 530 km south of Thatta. Sustained windspeeds are around 140-150 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 200 km/h.




Impending Landfall: Forecast and Projected Path

According to the latest forecast, Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to maintain a northward trajectory until the morning of June 14, 2023. Afterward, it is likely to veer eastward and make landfall between Keti Bandar (Southeast Sindh Coastline) and the Indian Gujarat Coastline on the afternoon of June 15, 2023, as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS).

Areas at Risk: Potential Affected Regions

Prepare for potential impacts in the following areas: Thatta, Badin, Sajawal, Tharparkar, Karachi, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Hyderabad, Ormara, Tando Allah Yar Khan, and Tando Mohammad Khan. These projections have been developed by the NEOC Technical team utilizing international and national models, including PMD-NWPM, NASA, PDC & UKM, IMD, BOM-A, and ECMWF.

The Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS) named "BIPARJOY" has continued its northward movement over the east-central Arabian Sea. As of the past 13 hours, the cyclone's current position is near Latitude 19.5°N and Longitude 67.7°E, approximately 600km south of Karachi, 580km south of Thatta, and 710km southeast of Ormara.

The cyclone is characterized by maximum sustained surface winds of 160-180 Km/hour, with gusts reaching up to 200 Km/hour around the center of the system. The sea conditions in the vicinity of the cyclone center are classified as phenomenal, with maximum wave heights ranging from 35 to 40 feet.

The prevailing environmental conditions, including a sea surface temperature of 30-31°C, low vertical wind shear, and upper-level divergence, are conducive to maintaining the intensity of the cyclone.

Emergency Preparedness Guidelines for Tropical Cyclone "BIPARJOY"

To ensure the safety and well-being of all stakeholders, the following guidelines have been outlined:

a. PDMA / DDMAs (Provincial Disaster Management Authorities / District Disaster Management Authorities)

1. Monitor the development of the tropical cyclone diligently and coordinate through emergency operation centers.
2. Ensure the functionality of early warning systems and disseminate timely and accurate information to at-risk communities.
3. Conduct extensive awareness campaigns using multiple communication channels such as TV, radio, social media, and SMS alerts to educate coastal communities on the potential impacts of the cyclone, evacuation procedures, and safety measures.
4. Identify high-risk areas prone to storm surges, flooding, and high-speed winds, and develop evacuation plans accordingly.
5. Collaborate with district and municipal administrations to ensure preparedness measures, including securing or removing billboards/hoardings.
6. Stock up on essential commodities, including medical supplies, in regions that may be cut off during severe weather events.
7. Coordinate with relevant authorities and transportation departments to facilitate safe evacuations.
8. Advise individuals in vulnerable areas to seek shelter in sturdy buildings or higher ground.
9. Coordinate with relevant departments to assess and prepare for potential damage to roads and infrastructure.
10. Ensure availability of necessary equipment and resources for rapid response and recovery operations.
11. Coordinate with electric companies to prevent electrical hazards and ensure swift restoration of services.
12. Address inundation issues in specific areas caused by heavy rainfall, coastal floods, and storm surges.
13. Implement dewatering plans for underpasses in Karachi to prevent urban flooding.
14. Ensure availability of dewatering pumps at vulnerable points.
15. Maintain functionality of sewerage systems to prevent waterlogging and drainage issues.
16. Coordinate with hospitals to be on alert and arrange alternate energy sources for uninterrupted medical services.
17. Advise district administrations to take precautionary measures in low-lying areas against storm surge activity.
18. Keep the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) updated on the cyclone's progress, impacts, and response measures.

b. Rescue Services (1122 / Civil Defence / Fire / Ambulance)

1. Ensure availability of emergency staff in response to the situation.
2. Pre-position emergency teams at critical or vulnerable locations for rapid deployment.
3. Provide rescue vehicles and equipment for emergency teams.
4. Support emergency evacuation efforts as directed by PDMA / DDMAs and district administrations.
5. Coordinate additional HR support from Rescue 1122 Punjab if necessary.

c. Law Enforcement Agencies

1. Ensure availability of personnel in response to the emergency situation.
2. Support emergency evacuation efforts as directed by PDMA / DDMAs and district administrations.
3. Ensure security in evacuation zones.
4. Maintain law and order in disaster-affected areas.
5. Advise or restrict travelers from entering vulnerable areas with adverse weather conditions.

d. Fisheries Department

1. Restrict fishermen from venturing into the open sea until 17th June 2023.
2. Advise fishermen to secure equipment and boats at the harbor.

e. Port AuthoritiesEnsure vessels are securely berthed with all lines secured.

1. Secure loose equipment on board ships to prevent incidents.
2. Secure open equipment or items in harbor areas or provide proper shelter.

f. Health Department / Hospitals

1. Prepare hospitals for emergency patient intake.
2. Maintain a ready stockpile of essential medicines.
3. Ensure Basic Health Units and Rural Health Units are vigilant and prepared for emergencies.
4. Fully staff medical facilities in response to the situation.
5. Provide mobile medical teams and equipment for deployment to affected areas.

National Highway Authority (NHA) / Provincial Highway Authority:

1. Ensure contractors are prepared for emergency deployment and restoration efforts.
2. Pre-position heavy earth moving machinery at critical chokepoints.
3. Prioritize the restoration of blocked or disrupted road arteries.

Electric DISCO / K-Electric:Ensure availability of maintenance staff for emergency service restoration.

1. Pre-place emergency maintenance teams for rapid deployment to affected areas.
2. Ensure availability of de-watering equipment at vulnerable or critical grid stations and electrical infrastructure in case of any eventuality.

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA):

1. Repeat and broadcast advisories, alerts, and public awareness messages from Disaster Management Authorities through all public and private media outlets regularly, especially during prime time.
2. Disseminate information in local languages, including Sindhi, Balochi, Seraiki, etc.
3. Ensure that false information is not broadcast by media outlets.

Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA):

1. Disseminate early warnings and advisories through Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs).
2. Ensure timely restoration of disrupted telecommunication services in affected areas.
3. Coordinate with CMOs for deploying Mobile COWs to ensure the availability of telecom services in affected areas.

Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Maritime Security, Coast Guards):Ensure availability of troops, personnel, aviation assets, rescue boats, and hovercraft to support rescue and relief operations.

1. Ensure availability of assets and personnel for conducting reconnaissance of disaster-affected areas.
2. Prepare for the establishment of relief and medical camps to assist disaster affectees.
3. Provide necessary assistance to the Local Administration in disaster-affected areas.

Local Communities:Engage local communities at historically hazard-prone sites to enable round-the-clock monitoring.

1. Advise local communities to follow directives from the Local Administration regarding emergency evacuation procedures.
2. Caution fishermen to exercise appropriate care while in coastal areas.
3. Instruct fishermen not to venture into the open sea until 17 June 2023.
4. Establish a reliable communication system to deliver real-time weather updates and guidance to fishing communities.
5. Advise farmers and cattle herders to take necessary mitigative and precautionary measures to safeguard their crops and livestock, including timely harvesting, safe storage, safe sheltering, or any precautions against adverse effects of dust-wind-thunderstorms.
6. Caution individuals to stay away from electric poles and wires during the cyclone to avoid electrical hazards.

PDMAs Punjab & Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 

1. Ensure readiness to provide necessary support and assistance, including rescue, relief, and medical aid, to disaster-affected areas of Balochistan and Sindh as required.

Hourly updates on the developing weather system will be uploaded on NDMA's website and social media handles for reference by all stakeholders. All concerned parties are requested to ensure continuous monitoring and proactive preparations against likely impacts.

Distribution List: 

To:

1. Chief Secretary, Government of Balochistan, Quetta
2. Chief Secretary, Government of Sindh, Karachi
3. Chief Secretary, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar
4. Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab, Lahore
5. Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Islamabad
6. Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Islamabad
7. Secretary, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Islamabad
8. Director General, Pakistan Meteorological Department, Islamabad
9. Directorate General Ports & Shipping, Karachi
10. Chairman, National Highway Authority, Islamabad
11. Inspector General, National Highways & Motorway Police, Islamabad
12. Chairman, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, Islamabad
13. Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunications Authority, Islamabad
14. Principal Information Officer, Press Information Department, Islamabad
15. Headquarters, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Karachi
16. Headquarters, Pakistan Coast Guard, Karachi
17. Director General, PDMA Balochistan, Quetta
18. Director General, PDMA Sindh, Karachi
19. Director General, PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar
20. Director General, PDMA Punjab, Lahore
21. Chairman, Karachi Port Trust
22. Chairman, Port Qasim Trust
23. Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Karachi
24. Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Quetta
25. Director General, Rescue 1122 Balochistan, Quetta
26. Director General, Rescue 1122 Sindh, Karachi
27. Headquarters, Frontier Works Organization (FWO), Rawalpindi
28. Commissioner Karachi Division
29. Commissioner Hyderabad Division
30. Chief Meteorologist, Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (PMD), Karachi
31. Director, National Institute of Oceanography, Karachi
32. Chairman, Balochistan Coastal Development Authority, Gwadar
33. Chairman, Sindh Coastal Development Authority, Karachi
34. Managing Director, K-Electric Karachi
35. Country Coordinator, UNOCHA, Islamabad
36. Coordinator, Welthungerhilfe (WHH), Islamabad
37. Country Coordinator, Pakistan Humanitarian Forum, Islamabad
38. Chairperson, National Humanitarian Network, Islamabad

Cc:

1. Secretary to Prime Minister, Prime Minister's Office, Islamabad
2. Secretary, Cabinet Division, Islamabad
3. Chairman, Federal Flood Commission, Islamabad
4. Joint Crises Management Cell, Joint Staff Headquarters, Chaklala Cantt
5. Staff Duties Directorate (SD Coord), COAS Sectt, GHQ, Rawalpindi
6. Military Operations Directorate (MO-4), General Headquarters, Rawalpindi Cantt
7. ACNS (Operations), Naval Headquarters, Islamabad
8. ACAS (Operations), Air Headquarters, Islamabad
9. GSO-1, Inter-Services Public Relations, General Headquarters, Rawalpindi Cantt