Tharparkar administration has issued a rain alert while an emergency ward has also been set up at Nangarparkar’s hospital as Thar desert, presently under the impact of cyclone Tauktae, continues to receive light rain since last night (Monday night), reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.

In view of prediction by the Met Office that Nangarparkar would be most affected by the cyclone, the administration has set up 317 relief camps and 212 medical camps at different spots while the staff has been ordered to ensure their presence at these camps so that people affected by the storm could be provided assistance on time.

Besides that, transport has also been arranged to shift the injured to the hospitals.

Meanwhile, the meteorological department has forecast dry and very hot weather for Karachi during the next 24 hours as the temperature is likely to touch 42 degrees Celsius.

Cyclone Tauktae that had developed in the south-east Arabian a week ago and travelled along India’s west coast, affecting states of Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka during the course of its journey north-westwards, presently lies 580 kilometres south of Thatha in Sindh while 650 kilometres south and south-east of Karachi.

According to the ninth cyclone alert issued by the weather department, Tauktae has been moving northwards at the speed of 15 kilometres per hour for the last 12 hours, while the winds are blowing at the speed of 180-200 kilometres per hour.

The alert further says that Sanghar, Badin, Umarkot and Thar areas of Sindh will receive rains accompanied by thunderstorms during the next 36 hours. “Winds in these areas could blow at the speed of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour,” the alert states.

However, it adds, weather in Karachi, Shaheed Benazirabad, Thatha, Hyderabad and Badin is expected to remain extremely hot during the next 24 hours at least.

Reported by GR Jaunejo, Sameen Nawaz