Cyclone Tauktae update: Pakistan’s coastal areas safe but Karachi to experience very hot weather

KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday clarified that cyclone Tauktae was gaining in intensity but none of Pakistan’s coastal areas were under threat.

However, the PMD said Karachi, Hyderabad and other areas would continue to experience “very hot” weather till tomorrow.

“None of the Pakistan coastal area is under threat, however under its influence, dust/thunderstorm-rain with few moderate to heavy falls and gusty winds of 40-60 Kmph are likely to occur in Tharparker, Umerkot & Sanghar districts and at isolated places of Badin district during 17- 19 May 2021, while Mirpurkhas and Tando Allahyar districts may receive moderate rainfall accompanied with gusty winds of 25-30 kmph.,” said the PMD.

“Very hot & dry weather with occasional gusty winds likely to continue in Karachi, Hyderabad, Shaeed- Banzirabad, Badin & Thatta districts till tomorrow. The gusty wind may affect the fruit orchid of above stated areas. Sea Conditions will remain rough to very rough and fishermen of Sindh are advised to suspend their activities till 19 May 2021.”

The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm “TAUKTAE” has gained more strength and moved North/northwestward at a speed of 18 Kmph during last 12 hours and now lay centered at 0800 PST of 17 May 2021 near latitude 18.9N and longitude 71.5E, at a distance of about 730 km south of Thatta & 800 km south-southeast of Karachi. Maximum sustained winds around the system centre are 190-210 Kmph gusting 230 Kmph.

The system is likely to move further northward and cross Indian Gujarat by 17 May night/ 18 May morning.