Pakistan largely spared as Cyclone Biparjoy weakens after making landfall in India’s Gujarat

While devotees of Dargah Abdullah Shah Ghazi said Karachi is protected from hurricanes due to the blessings of the saint buried there, experts attribute the city’s safety to its geographical location.

• India Weekly Staff
• 16 June, 2023

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By: India Weekly Staff

CYCLONE BIPARJOY, which had initially posed a threat to Pakistan, weakened into a severe cyclonic storm after making landfall in India’s Gujarat state on Thursday (15). The cyclone caused significant destruction in the western Indian state but spared Pakistan from its full force. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported that the cyclone had weakened into a severe cyclonic storm and was further expected to weaken into a cyclonic storm and eventually a depression.

In Sindh’s coastal city of Keti, where residents had braved the cyclone threat and monsoon rains, people are now returning to their homes as the cyclone weakened. The coastal areas of Sindh, including Sujawal, experienced flooding due to high sea levels, but most residents had been evacuated to safe locations prior to the cyclone’s arrival. The Sindh government successfully evacuated 67,367 people from vulnerable districts and set up 39 relief camps to accommodate them.

Pakistan’s climate change minister Sherry Rehman expressed gratitude that Pakistan was largely spared from the cyclone’s destructive impact. She acknowledged the efforts of all authorities involved in the coordination and announced a meeting to discuss the process of sending the affected individuals back to their homes.

While Cyclone Biparjoy caused significant damage in Gujarat, Pakistan’s Karachi city was once again spared from its devastations. This led to a recurring debate among locals and devotees of Dargah Abdullah Shah Ghazi, who believe that Karachi is protected from hurricanes due to the blessings of the saint buried there, according to a media report.

However, experts such as Dr Mona Lisa from Quaid-e-Azam University attribute Karachi’s safety to its geographical location, situated on the boundary of three tectonic plates that act as natural barriers against hurricanes.

Although Pakistan was fortunate to avoid the worst impacts of Cyclone Biparjoy, the cyclone’s destruction in Gujarat serves as a reminder of the devastating power of such natural disasters. The government and relevant authorities will continue to monitor and address the effects of cyclones and work towards mitigating their impact on vulnerable communities.

(With agency inputs)