Cyclone alert in Sindh: ‘Asna’ approaches Karachi, likely to result in strong winds

Due to torrential weather and strong prediction of heavy rainfall in Sindh, fishing has been banned in the Arabian Sea till August 31
An undatde image of Cyclone. — Unsplash
An undatde image of Cyclone. — Unsplash

A potential cyclone has built up over the Rann of Kutch, India which lies around Latitude 23.5 N & Longitude 67.9 E and is currently 170 km away from east/southeast of Karachi. 

The cyclone has been named “Asna,” which is gradually approaching Sindh and it is expected to strengthen into an intensified storm, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday. 

According to the Director General of PMD Mehar Sahibzada Khan, Asna triggered the Karachi-Gwadar coast which would lead to torrential weather, and heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours after striking western coastal areas.

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Sahibzada Khan further added, "Cyclones usually advance from sea to land but Asna's advancement is vice versa [...] It will intensify into a hurricane whose impacts will be seen in the next week," Our country is receiving more than usual downpours due to this cyclone. Upper areas of the country will experience more rain from September 2 to 4."

The PMD currently recorded a minimum temperature of around 26°C which might rise to 28°C to 30°C, accompanying winds and downpours in Karachi. 

However, Asna would influence maximum areas of Sindh including Karachi division, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad, Tandu Muhammad Khan, Tandu Allah Yar, Matiari, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Dadu and Shaheed Benazirabad districts for the further 24 hours.

Moreover, due to the prediction of heavy rainfall and potential cyclones, fishing has been banned in the Arabian Sea. PMD has advised them to avoid venturing into the sea till August 31.