Cyclonic storm “Tauktae” likely to intensify into storm in next 12-18 hours

F.P. Report

KARACHI: The deep depression over Arabian Sea has intensified into cyclonic storm “TAUKTAE” and lay centered on Saturday, at a distance of about 788 nautical miles s-se of Karachi is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm (scs) during next 12 to 18 hours and move in new direction and reach Indian Gujrat by May 18 morning.

Pakistan Meteorological department (PMD) in its report on Saturday predicted that the sea condition will be rough to very rough; therefore the fishermen are advised not to venture in the sea during May 16-20, 2021.

Earlier in its report on May 14, the PMD said that PMD’s tropical Cyclone Warning Centre Karachi is closely monitoring the system and will keep updating accordingly. Presently none of Pakistan coastal area is under any threat.

Hot or very hot weather is likely to occur during next two days. Day time maximum temperature may rise to 40-42 degrees centigrade and winds likely to blow from northeast/east especially on May and 16 to 17. Under the influence of this system, widespread heavy to very heavy dust/thunderstorm-rains with gusty winds of 80-100 Kmph are likely to occur in Thatta, Badin, Thar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Sanghar districts from 17 May to 20 May 2021.

Dust/thunderstorm-rains with few heavy falls and gusty winds of 50-70 Kmph are also likely in Karachi, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Shaheed Benzirabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Jacobabad and Dadu during 18-20 May, 2021.

The sea Conditions would be rough to very rough and fishermen are advised not to venture in the sea during 16 to 20 May 2021. Keeping in view the presentation given to him by the Met office and PDMA, the chief minister directed the administration in Karachi to start clearing all the choking points of nullas.

He directed Commissioner Karachi Naveed Shaikh and Administrator KMC Laiq Ahmed to start removing all the billboards, neo-signs and ask the builders to make precautionary measures for security of their under -structure buildings. He directed PDSMA to provide dewatering machines, generators to the district administration in the city and in the other districts where required.

Syed Murad Ali Shah directed fishermen not to go in the deep sea for fishing from Sunday. The chief minister directed the chief secretary to set up a Control Room in his office and post a BS-19 offer as its head to receive requirements from the districts and issue necessary instructions to the administration on behalf of the government.

The chief minister directed Tharparkar district administration to take extraordinary measures because it was expected to receive very heavy rains. All the district administrations should make alternate accommodation arrangements, in case shifting of the people becomes necessary. The chief minister directed the chief secretary to seek the requirement of funds from the district administration and ensure timely releases. The district administration was also directed to set up control rooms in their districts.

The chief minister also issued directives to the Irrigation minister to declare emergency in his department and keep proper mentoring of the embankments of the canals and distributaries.

Syed Murad Ali Shah directed Minister Local Government Nasir Shah and Minister Rehabilitation Faraz Dero to stay in Karachi and personally monitor each and every arrangement.