Met Office declares next few hours critical as Cyclone approaches coastal Sindh

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: The Meteorological Department has declared the next few hours critical as Cyclone Asna moves towards coastal Sindh and Karachi.

Authorities in Karachi have deployed police along the coastline to prevent people from approaching the sea, as dangerous waves are expected to surge.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Met Office Director General Sahibzad Khan said the cyclone has reached Rajasthan and turned into a deep depression. “This cyclone has formed after sixty years, the last occurrence being in 1964. Currently, the cyclone is located 170 km south of Karachi and may turn into a cyclonic storm within the next six hours,” he stated.

He further explained that there is a strong possibility of the severe low pressure developing into a cyclonic storm within the next six hours. This could result in strong winds and torrential rain in the Karachi Division, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sajawal, Hyderabad, Tando Mohammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Umarkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Dadu, and Shaheed Benazirabad districts. Some areas of Balochistan may also be affected.

Regarding the monsoon rains, DG Khan mentioned that another series of rains is expected in the upper areas from September 2 to 4. However, the weather in Sindh and Balochistan is expected to improve. While monsoon activity will persist, there will be water stress in Mangla Dam in the upcoming season.

Cyclonic Storm “Asna” Over Northeast Arabian Sea

Meanwhile, the Met Office reported that the deep depression over the Rann of Kutch coast in India and the adjoining northeast Arabian Sea has moved westward during the last six hours. It has intensified into a cyclonic storm, “Asna,” and is currently located around 170 km south/southeast of Karachi and 88 km south of Kati Bandar. The system is likely to continue moving initially west/northwestwards.

Under its influence, widespread rain and wind-thunderstorms with scattered heavy to very heavy falls and isolated extremely heavy falls are likely in Karachi Division, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Dadu, and Shaheed Benazirabad districts until August 31.

The Met Office also forecasted widespread rain and wind thunderstorms with scattered heavy to very heavy falls and isolated extremely heavy falls in Hub, Lasbella, Awaran, Kech, and Gwadar districts from August 30 to September 1, with occasional gaps. Heavy rains may cause waterlogging and inundation in low-lying areas of the Sindh-Makran coast.

Read more: Met Office warns heavy rains as cyclone storm to hit Sindh coast tonight

The Met Office warned that sea conditions are likely to remain rough to very rough with squally winds of 60-70 km/hour, gusting up to 80 km/hour. Fishermen in Sindh are advised not to venture into the sea until August 31, and those in Balochistan until September 1.

The PMD’s cyclone warning centre in Karachi is closely monitoring the system and will issue updates accordingly. Authorities have been advised to stay informed through PMD advisories.