Cyclone Biparjoy weakens into depression

KARACHI: The cyclonic storm Biparjoy, which put the Sindh authorities on red alert, has now weakened into a depression and no longer poses a significant threat. 

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a “final bulletin” regarding the cyclone’s movement on Saturday morning. 

According to the PMD, during the last 12 hours, it moved further northeastward over Rann of Kutch (India) and Tharparker in southeast Pakistan. It now lies over southwest Rajasthan (India) and Tharparker after being converted into a depression.

“Fishermen of Balochistan can resume their activities from today, and those of Sindh from tomorrow”, according to the PMD.

The Met Office has predicted rain-thunderstorms with gusty winds in Tharparker, Umerkot and parts of Badin districts today. Rain-thunderstorms are also expected in Thatta, Sujawal and Mirpurkhas districts. 

Pakistan has been largely spared of the cyclone’s impact, as it moved away from Karachi and Keti Bandar towards the Indian State of Gujrat. The resulting landfall in Gujrat led to the deaths of at least six people, according to reports.

The Sindh government lifted the ban on going into the open sea, and fishermen have slowly begun to return to their work.