The Meteorological Department has issued an urgent alert regarding a developing cyclone in the northeastern Arabian Sea, approximately 250 kilometers east-southeast of Karachi.
The system, currently classified as a deep depression, is slowly moving towards the west-southwest, with the potential to intensify into a cyclone due to favorable environmental conditions.
Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz provided insights into the situation, stating that the deep depression is moving sluggishly but is expected to gain strength once it enters the sea.
“As the system encounters favorable sea conditions, its intensity will increase, likely turning into a cyclone by tomorrow morning,” Sardar Sarfraz explained.
The storm, named Cyclone Asna by the Pakistan Meteorological Department, could bring heavy rains and strong winds to various districts in Sindh and Balochistan.
Areas likely to be affected include Karachi, Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sajawal, Matiari, Umarkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Dadu, and Shaheed Benazirabad.
The Meteorological Department has also issued warnings for Hub, Lasbela, Awaran, Kech, and Gwadar districts, where heavy rains with strong winds are expected until September 1.
In light of the approaching storm, fishermen have been advised to avoid going out to sea from August 31 to September 1, as the conditions are expected to be perilous.
The Meteorological Department is closely monitoring the situation and has announced that the next tropical cyclone advisory will be issued at 10 PM tonight. Residents in the affected areas are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
On the other hand, in the past 24 hours, Sindh experienced significant rainfall, with Tharparkar district receiving the highest amount of 347 mm, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department's (PMD) latest report.
Karachi received a total of 190 mm of rain, with Sarjani Town recording the highest rainfall of 30 mm in the city. Other districts also experienced substantial rainfall, including Mirpurkhas (143 mm), Hyderabad (116 mm), and Badin (112 mm).
The Meteorological Department reported maximum wind speeds of 67 kmph at Masroor base and 52 kmph at Faisal base.
In light of the PMD's forecast of up to 200 mm of rain in Karachi and 500 mm in other Sindh cities, authorities are on high alert to take immediate measures to mitigate the risk of urban flooding.
