Coastal communities have been cautioned against going into the sea for the next 48 hours, to avoid any losses in case of high waves, as a Tsunami warning has been issued to 28 countries, including Pakistan.
We’ve just received the warning and the boat crews have been notified of it, said Abdul Ghani Jokhio, managing director of the Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KFHA).
Soon afterwards, some 50 boats were stopped at the Karachi Fish Harbor while boats, which had left the jetties earlier and were not far from the coastal line, have been asked to come back. Those out in the open sea are to stay alert and take shelter at nearby islands or mangroves. There are no threats to the country’s coast, but we are watchful, and dealing with the affairs smoothly, he said.
Asif Bhatti, president Bona Fide Fishermen and Boat Owners Welfare Association said, We have received instructions from the Sindh Fisheries Department of keeping safe but we are still not clear on what to do exactly.
They could not tell us what to do, where to shift or how it could affect us, he confided to The News.A spokesman for the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) said there was no serious tsunami threat but they were already alert. Although the warnings have been issued, the community people are also well-aware of the changes in the sea, having worked with the waves all their lives, and can find safe places if the need arises, he said.
Gulab Shah, a community activist from Keti Bunder said District Coordination Officer (DCO) Thatta also advised community people in the various districts not to leave their jetties for the open sea.
Noor Mohammed Thaimor, a resident of Jati, an area prone to natural disasters, said, Right now hardly 20-25 boats are at the sea.We have been asked to stay alert for the next 48 hours, he added. People of Badin have also been alerted.
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