Karachi, August 30, 2024 — The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a fresh advisory on Cyclonic Storm ‘ASNA,’ warning that Karachi remains under threat of heavy rainfall and strong winds. The storm, which has been intensifying over the past few hours, is expected to bring severe weather to various regions of Sindh and Balochistan.
According to the latest advisory from the PMD, the deep depression over the Rann of Kutch coast in India and the adjoining northeast Arabian Sea has moved westward in the last six hours, intensifying into a Cyclonic Storm named “ASNA” (pronounced as As-Na). The storm is currently positioned at Latitude 23.5 N and Longitude 67.9 E, approximately 170 kilometers south-southeast of Karachi and 88 kilometers south of Kati Bandar.
The PMD has forecasted that the system is likely to continue moving west-northwestwards. Under its influence, widespread rain and wind-thunderstorms with scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall and isolated extremely heavy falls are expected in the Karachi division and several other districts, including Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Dadu, and Shaheed Benazirabad, until August 31.
In addition to Karachi and surrounding areas, the PMD has also predicted widespread rain and wind-thunderstorms with scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall and isolated extremely heavy falls in the districts of Hub, Lasbela, Awaran, Kech, and Gwadar from August 30 to September 1, with occasional breaks in the rain.
The heavy rains and strong winds are likely to cause waterlogging and rain-induced flooding in low-lying areas along the Sindh-Makran coast, posing a significant risk to residents and infrastructure. The sea conditions are expected to remain rough to very rough, with squally winds reaching speeds of 60-70 km/h and gusts up to 80 km/h. Consequently, fishermen in Sindh are advised not to venture into the sea until August 31, while those in Balochistan should avoid the sea until September 1.
The PMD’s cyclone warning center in Karachi is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to issue updates as necessary. The authorities have been urged to stay informed through PMD advisories and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of residents in affected areas.
As Karachi braces for the impact of Cyclone ASNA, residents are advised to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay updated with the latest information from local authorities. With the storm’s unpredictable nature, the situation can change rapidly, requiring quick responses from both the government and the public to minimize potential damage and ensure public safety.
