History Repeats Itself in Arabian Sea as India, Pakistan Brace for Cyclone Biparjoy

As Cyclone Biparjoy intensifies over the east-central Arabian Sea, authorities in Sindh are on high alert. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has identified Keti Bandar as the expected landfall point. The cyclone has now transformed into an “extremely severe cyclonic storm (ESCS)”. It has moved northward and is currently located near latitude 18.1N and longitude 67.5E.

Impending Landfall: Keti Bandar in Sight as Cyclone Approaches

Cyclone Biparjoy may cross between Keti Bandar in southeast Sindh and the Indian Gujarat coast on June 15. Authorities are preparing for the worst in these areas. The PMD reports that the cyclone’s maximum sustained surface winds have reached 150-160km per hour. The gusts are as high as 180km/h. The sea conditions around the system center are “phenomenal,” with a maximum wave height of 35-40 feet.

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Residents of Keti Bandar to be Relocated

As the cyclone approaches, the local authorities have decided to transfer the residents of Keti Bandar to safer locations. The authorities have identified safe havens for the relocated population approximately 10 kilometers away from the coastline.

Although the authorities considered makeshift shelters initially. However, they decided to accommodate the residents in public schools and government offices for the time being. The storm surge is likely to reach three to 3.5 meters at the land-falling point. This might pose a significant risk to the area.

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Cyclone Biparjoy: Karachi Administration Takes Action

The Karachi administration has taken comprehensive measures to deal with the approaching cyclone. Various institutions, including the Provincial Coordination Implementation Committee (PCIC), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Pakistan Meteorological Department, Pakistan Navy, and local bodies, are coordinating in their efforts. Deputy commissioners from different districts, along with the health department and utility services, have briefed officials about low-lying areas and relief preparations.

Yellow Alert: Gujarat’s Saurashtra and Kutch Coasts on High Alert

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Gujarat’s Saurashtra and Kutch coasts. Cyclone Biparjoy has intensified into an “extremely severe cyclonic storm.”

The cyclone will likely land between the Kutch district in Gujarat and Karachi in Pakistan on June 15.

Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla has reviewed the preparedness of the central government and Gujarat administration in response to the alert.

History of Cyclones in the Arabian Sea

The Arabian Sea, located in the northern Indian Ocean, is known for its tropical cyclones that typically form between April and June and September and November. Here is a brief history of tropical cyclones in the Arabian Sea:

• In May 2001, Cyclone 01A struck the northern coast of Oman, causing significant damage to infrastructure, crops, and livestock.
• In June 2007, Cyclone Gonu made landfall in Oman as a Category 3 cyclone, causing widespread flooding and damage to buildings, transportation, and power lines.
• In June 2010, Cyclone Phet formed in the Arabian Sea and moved toward the coast of Oman and Pakistan. Although it weakened before landfall, it still caused significant damage to infrastructure and displaced thousands of people.
• In October 2014, Cyclone Nilofar formed in the Arabian Sea and threatened the coast of Pakistan and India, but it weakened and changed direction toward Oman without significant impacts.
• In May 2020, Cyclone Amphan formed in the Bay of Bengal and crossed over to the Arabian Sea, causing heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of India and Pakistan.
• In May 2021, Cyclone Tauktae formed in the Arabian Sea and intensified to a Category 4 cyclone before making landfall in Gujarat, India, causing widespread devastation to infrastructure, buildings, and crops.

Overall, cyclones in the Arabian Sea have the potential to cause significant destruction to the coastal regions of Oman, Pakistan, and India, especially if they intensify or make landfall.