Karachi faces severe weather as Cyclone Asna approaches

KARACHI: Karachi and its neighbouring regions face a severe weather threat from Cyclone Asna, a strong tropical storm making its way across the Arabian Sea.

The cyclone is expected to bring intense rainfall, high winds and possible flooding to Sindh and Balochistan on Saturday.

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Cyclone Asna is currently situated about 170 kilometres (km) southeast of Karachi. The cyclone is currently advancing northwest. The cyclone’s impact is expected to persist until Sunday.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the cyclone is expected to affect Karachi and other regions across Sindh, including Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas.

Since early Saturday morning, Karachi has been experiencing extreme weather, with strong winds and heavy rain lashing the city’s residents. The 20-million-strong metropolis recorded intermittent rain starting at 6:40 am.

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The Met Office warned of 78 per cent humidity and a temperature drop to 29 degree Celsius for Saturday (today).

The PMD forecasted that extreme weather in Karachi would continue for next three days, with rainfall, thunderstorms and isolate winds plaguing the city.

The Met Office also issued warnings for maritime activites, advising fishermen to stay ashore due to the dangerous sea conditions and winds blowing up to 70 km per hour.

The sea storm might also generate winds as strong as 80 km per hour, making sea travel extremely dangerous.

The weather department recommended the fishermen across Sindh and Balochistan to stay ashore till Sunday before venturing out into the sea.

Cyclone Asna’s effects are not limited to Karachi, however. The tropical storm is expected to impact Balochistan, with districts Hub, Lasbela, Awaran, Kech and Gwadar facing heavy rains and possible flodding.

The PMD warned of potential pluvial flooding in low-lying areas across Sindh and Balochistan.  

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Cyclone Asna is projected to weaken into a tropical depression within the next 48 hours as it continues to move towards the Arabian Peninsula.

Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the cyclone was moving away from the Indian coast towards Oman, with diminishing effects expected on Indian side.