Cyclone Asna, which intensified from a deep depression into a cyclone on Friday, has now steered away from Pakistan’s coastline. As of today, the cyclone is located approximately 230 kilometers southwest of Karachi, 180 kilometers south of Ormara, and 300 kilometers southeast of Gwadar, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
Despite the cyclone moving away from the coast, residents across the region are bracing for heavy rains. The PMD has issued warnings for light to moderate rainfall, with occasional gusty winds, in Karachi Division and several other districts including Sujawal, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Dadu, and Kambar Shahdadkot. The weather is expected to remain dry in the rest of Sindh.
In Balochistan, the PMD has forecast rain-thundershowers with heavy falls and squally winds of around 55 km/h in districts such as Hub, Lasbela, Awaran, Kech, and Gwadar until tomorrow night. Fishermen in Sindh are advised against venturing into the sea today, and those in Balochistan should refrain from doing so until tomorrow.
Satellite and radar images show Cyclone Asna over the Arabian Sea, with the cyclone expected to intensify minimally to 85 km/h in the next 12 hours. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) anticipates a weakening trend starting in 24 hours, with the cyclone expected to diminish to tropical depression strength within two days.
The occurrence of Cyclone Asna during the monsoon season is described as “rare,” with Chief Meteorologist Dr. Sardar Sarfaraz noting that it is the first cyclone in the Arabian Sea in August since 1976. The cyclone, named ‘Asna’ by Pakistan, is part of a naming list prepared by a 13-country panel.
In response to the severe weather conditions, schools in Karachi and Hyderabad were closed on Friday, and a ban on fishermen venturing into the sea, as well as on swimming and other water activities, was imposed in Karachi Division from August 29 until August 31.
The heavy monsoon rains have already caused significant damage, with around two dozen fatalities reported across the country on Friday. In Sindh, at least nine people died in rain-related incidents, while more than 30 were injured due to flooding that ruptured sewers, breached dykes, and swept away numerous mud houses. Balochistan reported two missing persons and 13 people swept away in flash floods. In the north, a landslide triggered by continuous rainfall resulted in the deaths of 13 family members in Upper Dir.
In neighboring India, severe weather has also had devastating effects, with at least 31 fatalities reported this week. Authorities have evacuated over 8,700 people from ten districts in Gujarat state.
The PMD continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as necessary.
