Mercy Corps Monitors Cyclone Biparjoy as Tens of Thousands Evacuate

Mercy Corps is closely monitoring Cyclone Biparjoy as it rapidly approaches Pakistan's Sindh province, anticipated to make landfall on Thursday on the coast of India and Pakistan. Forecasts indicate wind speeds of up to 200 km/h with a high potential for heavy rainfall, storm surge and flooding. The Pakistan government has issued warnings of powercuts and floods, prompting the evacuation of more than 65,000 people in coastal regions of the Sindh province. Already, neighboring India has suffered loss of life due to relentless rain.

Mercy Corps Country Director for Pakistan, Arshad Muhammad, says: 

"Pakistan has already faced a relentless string of disasters and economic setbacks in the past year. The communities in Sindh province likely to be hit by the cyclone are still grappling with the aftermath of the devastating 2022 floods. Many are still displaced and increasingly vulnerable to storms like Cyclone Biparjoy. 

“Mercy Corps has a presence in the areas of Pakistan expected to be impacted. We are closely monitoring the situation and in contact with the district authorities, and we will work alongside local authorities and our local partners to quickly determine and meet the most pressing needs of affected communities. We anticipate providing clean drinking water, food, and transportation assistance to and from evacuation sites for people in hard-to-reach areas.”

Mercy Corps has been at the forefront of relief efforts in Pakistan, responding swiftly to major disasters such as the catastrophic floods of 2010 and 2022 by providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene support, primary healthcare, cash-for-work opportunities, and infrastructure rehabilitation.