Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy Makes Landfall near India/Pakistan Border

Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy made landfall on the coast of the Arabian Sea near the border between India and Pakistan on Thursday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy was located at latitude 23.6°N and longitude 69.0°E which put it about 145 miles (235 km) southeast of Karachi, Pakistan. Biparjoy was moving toward the northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy made landfall on the coast of the Arabian Sea near Jakhau Port, India on Thursday. Biparjoy was the equivalent of a strong tropical storm at landfall. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the southern half of Biparjoy’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) in the northern half of the circulation. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern part of Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy. Bands in the northern part of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy will move slowly inland over the Rann of Kutch, which is a salt marsh during the next few hours. Biparjoy will weaken very slowly while it is over the Rann of Kutch. Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy will weaken more rapidly on Friday when it moves into a drier environment. Since the strongest winds and the heaviest rain are in the southern parts of Biparjoy’s circulation, it means that the strongest winds and heaviest rain will occur after the center of circulation passes any given location. Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of eastern Pakistan and western India. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.