High tides following Cyclone Kyarr destroyed makeshift embankments in many areas along the coastline in Thatta and Sujawal districts in Pakistan, resulting in sea water entering more than 25 villages, causing fear and panic among the people, witnesses said on Tuesday.
So far, there has been no loss of infrastructure, but residents were facing high tides and the tense situation might continue for next two-three days, community activists said. Gulab Shah, a resident in Keti Bunder said breaches occurred in protective embankments in different areas, where sea water has entered houses.
The sea is rough, and small boats have already returned to the coast, while the larger vessels
are returning to anchor after receiving alerts, Shah said, adding that the fear of cyclone came at the time of natural high tides, which created panic among the coastal people.
Shah said the coastal communities had not witnessed such aggressive high tides since 1996 and they felt vulnerable. Fishermen had recently heaved a sigh of relief when rains stopped in early October, so they could catch some shrimp and other commercially viable fish. But then, the suddenly rising sea increased their worries, Shah observed.