The coastal belt of southern Sindh province of Pakistan on Tuesday has been closed till November 2, 2014 under Section 144 of the constitution as a precautionary measure for Cyclone "Nilofar", said officials.
A senior administrative official, Commissioner Karachi, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui has asked the Pakistan Navy Maritime Security Agency and Coast Guard to arrange the immediate return of fishermen from sea. Section 144 has been imposed on the coastal belt of southern Karachi, Thatta, Sajawal and Badin cities.
According to the Meteorological Department of Pakistan, Tropical Cyclone Nilofar is 1,222 KM away from Karachi and 1,145 KM away from Gwadar coast in southwestern Balochistan province. It further states that Nilofar is moving at 6 KM/Hr towards the north and northwestern part of the country.
The cyclone is expected to trigger rains and strong winds in lower parts of Sindh including Karachi from Wednesday to Friday. The concerned departments have been directed to ensure banning bathing and swimming in the sea as well as making beach safety arrangements more effective.
A warning has been issued in the Sindh and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan for a deep depression formed over the central western parts of Arabian Sea that has converted into a tropical cyclone and named Nilofar.
Earlier this year, at least 23 people lost their lives at Karachi's Sea View beach and the government had taken strict action against violators of the ban on bathing imposed.