Pre-Cyclone Update# 1 (Cyclone Phet-10)

Pre-Cyclone Update# 1 (Cyclone Phet-10)

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has reported that a deep depression over west central and the adjoining east central Arabian Sea has intensified into a severe tropical cyclone ? ‘Phet’.

At 1430 PST on 2nd June, 2010, it is now centered at 17.5°N - 61°E about 950 Km Southwest of Karachi. The PMD Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre predicts that the system is likely to further intensify into a category 3 cyclone and move towards the coasts of Gujarat and Sindh.

According to the PMD, “under the influence of this system, fairly widespread rainfall with isolated
heavy to very heavy falls would commence over coastal areas of Sindh from 4th June 2010 and increase thereafter.”

The expected landfall would be the areas bordering Indian Gujrat at 24o N 68 o W and is expected to become category 3 or 4 cyclone.

Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum has established emergency information centre at PFF office Karachi heading by Hussain Jarwar, Manager Programme PFF including Mr Mohammad Ali Shah chairman, Sami Memon media coordinator and Mr Younis Mari DRR coordinator PFF.

PFF informed all fishermen that they will not venture to the open sea for fishing till Sunday, most of the fishermen have stopped their boats on landing sites but still 30 boats from Badin and 40 boats from Jati are not returned. PFF has contacted with DCO Thatta and Pakistan Navy for the help as they will send their speed boats in the sea and also can use helicopter for the information dissemination.

Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum has identified 5 shelters for expected evacuation in two union councils Kar Mailk and Kothee in Taluka Jati. While PFF has also identified 5 locations as boat collection point for people will evacuate to the shelters.

PFF is also assessing the situation in Keeti Bander especially government has identified the shelters but they have lack of facilities of toilets and drinking water and will share this report with other stakeholders.
PFF is also assessing the situation in Karachi and send member of DMC committees to different areas to identify the safer places and also evacuation strategy because some of the areas like Rehri, Cashma and many villages of Kyamari town are vulnerable and even they came under high tide water.

PFF media cell is very active and getting information from the entire cost and sharing it with media centers, all TV channels and newspapers are in contact with PFF regarding the situation in coast.