Pakistan braces for rare August cyclone as heavy rains force schools’ closure

Coastal cities in Pakistan are bracing for a rare August cyclone, as heavy rains and strong winds forced authorities to close schools and evacuate thousands of residents on Friday.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued an alert, warning that the deep depression, currently over India’s Rann of Kutch, has slowly moved west-southwestward in the last 12 hours.

The system, it added, is expected to continue moving along Sindh’s coast and may intensify into a cyclonic storm by the afternoon or evening.

Chief Meteorologist Dr Sardar Sarfaraz confirmed that the depression is likely to strengthen further as it progresses over the Arabian Sea.

In response to the looming storm, authorities have closed schools in Karachi, and heavy rains have already inundated parts of the city. Citizens have been advised to stay indoors due to the risk of urban flooding and flash floods in rural areas.

Parts of the city received 147 mm (5.79 inches) of rain overnight, according to the local weather office. The city's mayor, Murtaza Wahab, urged residents to avoid "unnecessary movement" in a post on X.

Fishermen have been warned not to venture out to sea due to the dangerous conditions.

This cyclonic storm is particularly unusual as it formed over land and is now moving toward the Arabian Sea, a rare occurrence for August.

Meanwhile, in India, authorities in Gujarat's Kutch district have reported severe waterlogging and rain-related deaths, with the toll reaching 31 this week.

Schools in Kutch and other areas have been closed, and over 8,700 people have been evacuated.

The system is expected to weaken as it moves from land to sea, with wind speeds decreasing to 40-50 kmph.

  

REUTERS

Children play, with the rainbow and rain clouds in the background, following reports from the Pakistan Meteorological Department of a potential cyclonic storm that could develop over the Arabian Sea, at Clifton Beach in Karachi, Pakistan August 30, 2024.