Pakistan braces for potential cyclone as depression over Arabian Sea intensifies

A deep depression over the Rann of Kutch in India is set to intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next 24 hours, posing a significant threat to southern Pakistan, the Met Office said.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the system currently lies 270 km east-southeast of Karachi.

Widespread rain and thunderstorms are forecasted across the region, with heavy to very heavy downpours expected in Sindh. The districts to be affected include Karachi, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Dadu and Shaheed Benazirabad.

The video captures scenes from Badin after heavy rainfall. The PMD has forecasted up to 500mm of rain in Sindh province under the current system. roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms

"The system is expected to move west and southwest and enter the northeast Arabian Sea along the Sindh coast by late tonight or early tomorrow," the statement said.

It added that due to "favorable environmental conditions" the system is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by tomorrow.

The video captures scenes from Tando Allahyar after heavy rainfall. The PMD has forecasted up to 500mm of rain in Sindh province under the current system.roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms

Winds are predicted to reach speeds of 50 to 60 kilometers per hour, with sea conditions remaining rough to very rough. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea until August 31.

The PMD's Cyclone Warning Centre is actively monitoring the situation and has urged all relevant authorities to follow official advisories.

The video captures scenes from Sujawal after heavy rainfall. The PMD has forecasted up to 500mm of rain in Sindh province under the current system.roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms

If the cyclone develops, it will be named "Asna," a name proposed by Pakistan, meaning "higher."

Sindh govt on alert

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah instructed all local administration and relevant departments to stay vigilant.

"Ensure all necessary preparations are completed to handle any emergency," CM Murad said, according to a statement from his spokesperson, Abdul Rasheed Channa.

He also directed the health department to enhance hospital arrangements and issued guidelines to the fisheries department to safeguard fishermen due to extraordinary sea conditions.

28 killed in India

Meanwhile, heavy rain flooded cities in western India's Gujarat state,orcing thousands of people from their homes. People waded through waist-high waters that partly submerged vehicles and roads in parts of the state, visuals from Reuters television showed.

At least 28 people have died this week from rain-related incidents in the state, and more than 18,000 have been evacuated from coastal cities since Sunday, according to India’s disaster management authorities.

  

REUTERS

A family crosses a flooded street after heavy rains in Ahmedabad, India, August 28, 2024.