CAA rebuts Jinnah airport closure reports as Biparjoy draws closer
Flight suspension could take place: Sherry Rehman
KARACHI (Web Desk/APP) – As the cyclone Biparjoy draws closer, there arise the speculations of suspending flight operations and closing down airports altogether. However, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rebutted the reports of closing Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.
The CAA spokesperson said airports follow certain safety protocols ahead of untoward weather forecasts, and pilots received regular updates on wind speed and weather conditions. “In certain circumstances, it is up to pilots to take a decision in line with ground and weather conditions”, he added.
The flight schedules could be disrupted owing to bad weather, he said.
Flight suspension could take place: Sherry Rehman
Addressing a presser, Federal Climate Minister Sherry Rehman said commercial flight suspension could take place if the air pressure crossed a threshold. “If 30 knots air pressure crossed that threshold is met then commercial flights would be suspended. However, commercial flight suspension to be taken as 60 knots air pressure was predicted for tomorrow by the Met Office and others,” she added.
She went on to say that very severe cyclonic storm BIPARJOY of Category-3 landfall was predicted to take place at around 1100 hours on Thursday. “Cyclone is proceeding at a speed of 150-160 km/h and wind gusts are blowing at a pace of 180km/h,” she added.
The more eastward direction of the cyclone could prevent Pakistan from more damages and disastrous impacts, she said.
The minister underlined that the cyclone was at 370 km distance from Karachi and 290 km from Ketti Bandar and was nearing Sir Creek. “Wind speed could reach 100-120 km/h and wind gusts to blow at 140km/h during the landfall,” she added.
