Cyclone Biparjoy, a formidable storm with winds of up to 150 kph (90 mph), is approaching densely populated regions in India and Pakistan, triggering widespread evacuations. With the potential for heavy rainfall, destructive winds, and coastal storm surges, authorities in both countries are taking swift action to protect millions of lives. Pakistan's Sindh province has already relocated approximately 60,000 individuals to temporary shelters, while India's Gujarat state has evacuated around 45,000 people from coastal areas
This cyclone arrives less than a year after devastating floods in Pakistan, which were exacerbated by the climate crisis. As tropical cyclones in Asia become stronger due to human-induced climate change, efforts to mitigate and prepare for these events become increasingly vital. Cyclone Biparjoy has been gathering strength in the northeastern Arabian Sea since late last week, directing its course toward southern Pakistan and western India. With sustained winds of 150 kph (90 mph), equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane, and gusts reaching up to 195 kph (121 mph), the cyclone has slightly weakened since Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department predicts that it will make landfall on Thursday afternoon, posing significant risks to the affected regions.
In Pakistan's Sindh province, mass evacuations have been initiated, and approximately 60,000 people have been relocated to temporary shelters according to local authorities. Plumes of dust have engulfed parts of the province, reducing visibility and adversely impacting the respiratory health of the population. Karachi, Pakistan's largest city with a population of 22 million, has closed malls and businesses along the coast in response to the approaching cyclone. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has implemented precautionary measures, including round-the-clock security operations, to minimize potential risks to lives and equipment. Residents of the Sindh province have expressed fear and concern, with Leela Ram Kohli, a resident from the Badin District, remarking that the winds are unlike anything they have experienced before. In India's Gujarat state, authorities have evacuated around 45,000 people from coastal areas and taken additional measures such as moving livestock to higher ground, suspending fishing activities, and ordering the closure of certain schools. Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for the northern Gujarat region, where precipitation levels could reach up to 10 inches, leading to flash floods and landslides.
Neighboring Maharashtra state, home to approximately 27 million people and a sizable fishing community, is also bracing for the impact of Cyclone Biparjoy. Strong winds are expected to batter parts of the financial capital, Mumbai, where high waves have already flooded coastal roads. Tragically, four boys drowned off the coast of Mumbai on Monday. Consequently, authorities have deployed police officers and lifeguards to beaches to prevent people from entering the sea. Given the unpredictable nature of the storm, authorities in both countries are urging residents to seek shelter and prioritize their safety. Pakistan's Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman has cautioned against underestimating the storm's potential impact due to its slight weakening, emphasizing its highly unpredictable nature. The need for preparedness and response measures is highlighted by the recent devastating floods in Pakistan, which claimed nearly 1,600 lives. The World Weather Attribution initiative's analysis of last year's floods attributed the intensification of rainfall to the climate crisis, suggesting that heavy rainfall events of this magnitude could occur with a 1% probability each year.
The increasing destructive power of tropical cyclones in Asia due to climate change has been a topic of concern. A study published in Frontiers in Earth Science in 2021, conducted by researchers from the Shenzhen Institute of Meteorological Innovation and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, suggested that tropical cyclones could have double the destructive power by the end of the century. In 2020, Tropical Cyclone Tauktae, one of the strongest storms on record, wreaked havoc across India's west coast, resulting in at least 26 fatalities across five states. According to the World Meteorological Organization, over the past 50 years, tropical cyclones have caused nearly 780,000 deaths globally and approximately $1.4 billion in economic losses.
As Cyclone Biparjoy looms, the immediate focus is on protecting lives and minimizing the storm's impact. The urgent need to address the intensification of tropical cyclones due to climate change is increasingly apparent, emphasizing the importance of mitigation efforts and improved preparedness measures.
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