Karachi takes sigh of relief as Cyclone ‘Tauktae’ turns towards southwest direction

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has confirmed that Cyclone will not make a landfall on the coastal belt of Pakistan.

Met Office Spokesperson Sardar Sarfraz said the cyclone will pass by without touching the coastal belt of Pakistan. However, it will have an impact in the form of rains with strong winds in the districts of Thatta, Tharparkar, Badin, Mirpur Khas and Umer Kot.

The spokesperson further added that the rains will be of moderate level.

The speed of gusty winds in Karachi has been recorded as 100 to 120 kilometer per hour.

Meanwhile, the Sindh government declared emergency in all the districts located along the coastal belt and directed the concerned authorities to take precautionary measures to meet any untoward situation in view of the Cyclone.

The decision was taken in an emergency meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in Karachi.

The meeting also advised fishermen not to go into the deep sea for fishing from today till May 20.

It was predicted that Tauktae that formed as a result of a low pressure depression over the Southeast Arabian will cause heavy to very heavy downpours along with windstorms in Sindh.

The Meteorological Department on Saturday issued an alert about the Cyclone Tauktae, saying that it will cause raindust/thunderstorms and gusty winds in Karachi.

Earlier, the weather department said that the maximum speed of the winds sustained around the cyclone have been recorded at 70-90km/hr, adding that they are expected to reach 100kh/hr.