In a tumultuous display of nature’s fury, Cyclone Biparjoy unleashed howling gales, crashing waves, and heavy rainfall along the coastline, extending from Sindh to the Indian state of Gujarat. The cyclone made landfall on Thursday night, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
Anticipating the destructive path of the ferocious cyclone, tens of thousands of vulnerable residents in towns and villages along the coastal districts of Thatta, Sujawal, and Badin had already been evacuated to relief camps. However, strong winds and rain preceded the cyclone, lashing parts of these districts. Tragically, two weather-related deaths were reported. Dua Abro, a 10-year-old child, lost her life when a tree toppled over, while Lalchand Kanji, 27, fell from a roof due to the powerful winds.
Named “disaster” in Bengali, Cyclone Biparjoy struck the Indian coastline at 6:30 pm, accompanied by winds reaching 125 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 140 km/h, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The cyclone’s eye partially reached land, and the landfall process was expected to continue until midnight, gradually weakening in intensity and wind speed.
The US Joint Typhoon Warning Centre predicted that Cyclone Biparjoy would continue its overnight journey towards Sindh. IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra revealed that the cyclone was moving at a speed of 115 to 125 km/h, which was anticipated to decrease to 75 to 85 km/h in the next three to six hours.
Although classified as a category 1 storm, the least severe on the scale, Biparjoy still posed a significant threat. Temporary thatched homes were expected to be flattened, and standing crops, plantations, and public infrastructure faced potential damage.
In Gujarat, deserted coastal towns bore the brunt of the cyclone’s impact. Power outages occurred as electricity poles fell, and gusty winds uprooted trees. Heavy rainfall resulted in flooding on low-lying roads, exacerbating the dire situation.
As the storm approached, people rushed to buy last-minute supplies, with almost all stores shuttered. Sheets of water driven by gusting winds created a gloomy, misty atmosphere with reduced visibility.
Mass evacuations were conducted in both Sindh and Gujarat. Over 82,000 individuals were relocated from Sindh’s coastal areas, as Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the cyclone. In Gujarat, another 94,000 people left their homes, seeking safety.
A shanty settlement in the fishing town of Zero Point, located in Badin district near the Indian border, consisted of hundreds of thatched homes and idle fishing boats. Stray animals populated the area, and the settlement faced significant vulnerability.
According to the Sindh government’s situation report, the storm had affected over 55,000 individuals across 14 union councils. Relief camps had accommodated approximately 46,800 people, including 289 pregnant women and numerous children. The report highlighted the activation of 36 relief camps and the mobilization of 102 health camps, both fixed and mobile.
In response to the approaching storm, local civil administrations, along with federal Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan and General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Hyderabad Garrison Maj-Gen Muhammad Hussain, visited the affected coastal districts. The GOC Hyderabad expressed his appreciation for the relentless efforts of the army, navy, and rangers personnel who worked tirelessly to assist the affected communities.
However, complaints regarding the
lack of facilities at the relief camps persisted. Residents from Seerani town in Badin voiced their dissatisfaction, stating that the government failed to assist them in relocating their livestock to the camps.
Addressing the press conference at the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) offices, Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan provided an update on the impact of the cyclone on the power transmission system. He assured the public that the damage had been minimal so far, with routine load-shedding remaining unaffected.
Khan revealed that 24 electric poles had fallen in the Jhimpir and Chohar Jamali areas of Thatta district. Restoration efforts were underway, with a contingent of 2,000 technical staff and officers dispatched from various power distribution companies to assist Hesco during the cyclone crisis.