Cyclone threat: Ban imposed on swimming in Karachi beaches

KARACHI: In view of Cyclone Asna hitting the Sindh Coastal areas by Friday morning, local authorities have imposed a ban on swimming and public access to beaches and coastlines.

The decision comes following heavy rains and multiple warnings from the Meteorological Department.

Karachi commissioner placed a ban till August 31 on fishermen venturing into the sea, as well as swimming, bathing, diving, and wading in the sea” or beaches and coastal areas of Karachi division under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to “avoid any untoward incident”.

This measure was taken based on recommendations from Deputy Commissioner South and Deputy Commissioner Kemari.

Authorities have been directed to enforce this ban strictly, and any violations will be dealt with accordingly.

Weather today: Heavy rainfall, cyclone threat looms large

Meanwhile according to the PMD, the deep depression (DD, very strong low-pressure area) over Rann of Kutch, India has slowly moved west-southwestward during last 12 hours and now lies at around Latitude 23.6 N & Longitude 69.2 E at about 250km east/southeast of Karachi.

The system is likely to keep moving further west/southwestwards, emerge into northeast Arabian Sea along Sindh coast by Friday morning and intensify further into a Cyclonic Storm (CS) due to favorable environmental conditions, sea surface temperature, low/moderate vertical wind shear and upper-level divergence.

Karachi weather forecast: Schools to remain closed on Friday

Under its influence, widespread rain/wind-thunderstorms with scattered heavy/very heavy and isolated extremely heavy falls likely in Karachi division, Tharparker, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad, T.M Khan, T.A Yar, Matiari, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Dadu & Shaheed Benazirabad districts till 31 August.

Widespread rain/wind-thunderstorm with scattered heavy/very heavy falls also likely in Hub, Lasbella, Awaran, Keach & Gwadar districts during 30 August to 1st September with Occasional gaps Sea conditions are likely to remain rough/very rough with squally winds 50-60 Km/hour gusting 70Km/hour. Fishermen of Sindh are advised not to venture into sea till 31 August and those of Balochistan till 1st September.