As Cyclone Biparjoy, with its winds of up to 180 km/h (111 mph), prepares to hit the coastal areas of Pakistan and India, there is growing concern about the impacts of climate change on natural disasters. The Arabian Sea region has witnessed a significant increase in the frequency, duration, and intensity of cyclones, leading to a higher risk of flooding that affects millions of people living in these coastal areas.
Officials in Pakistan and India have already taken preventive measures, evacuating tens of thousands of people and closing ports and beaches. However, the scale of the disaster is uncertain, and there is also concern about the vulnerability of areas still recovering from last year’s floods, which claimed more than 1,700 lives and caused significant destruction.
Climate change caused by global warming is a major driver of intensifying hurricanes, and the Arabian Sea region is particularly sensitive to rising sea temperatures. In 2021, Cyclone Tauktae struck, killing 174 people and causing significant damage. Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to be even more severe and may become the longest-lasting cyclone in the Arabian Sea, overtaking 2019’s Cyclone Kyarr, which lasted nine days and 15 hours.
The potential consequences of such natural disasters are enormous—there is a looming risk of flooding affecting approximately a third of Pakistan’s population of 247 million people and two of India’s largest ports, Mundra and Kandla, threatening densely populated areas in both countries.
Karachi’s top elected official has requested the evacuation of an estimated 80,000 people to safety, while India’s army, navy, and coast guard are assisting in preparations for Cyclone Biparjoy. Bangladesh and Myanmar are also bracing for the arrival of Cyclone Mocha, which is predicted to hit coastal areas on Sunday.
Natural disasters are among the most devastating events in the world, particularly in South Asia, which is vulnerable to tropical storms, cyclones, and flooding. As a result, it is crucial that governments, emergency services, and community organizations work together to develop effective measures to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and support those most affected by them.
Climate scientists warn that the frequency and intensity of cyclones will continue to increase, exacerbating the risks to populations living in the coastal regions of the Arabian Sea. It is vital that governments take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change to avoid even greater catastrophes in the future.
