Cyclone threat: Deep depression in Arabian Sea 120km from Karachi

PMD forecasts possibility of heavy rain in next 24 hours, accompanied by strong winds and thundershowers in Karachi

Uneeba Zameer Shah

Web Desk

August 30, 2024

Deep depression may enter Arabian Sea by afternoon or evening.
Heavy rain likely in Sindh areas under potential cyclonic storm.
Parts of port city experienced continued rainfall on Thursday.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorology Department (PMD) on Friday said that that the deep depression, which is slowly progressing towards the Arabian Sea from India's Rann of Kutch, is now 120 kilometres southeast of the port city.

According to the PMD, this deep depression — a very strong low-pressure area — is expected to keep moving west-southwestward along Sindh's coastal belt.

It further stated that it lies around Latitude 23.8 N & Longitude 66.6 E at about 120km south of Karachi, 180 southwest of Thatta, 250km southeast of Ormara and 440km east-southeast of Gwadar.

The low pressure area may further intensify into a cyclonic storm upon entering the Arabian Sea by today afternoon or evening, if environmental conditions remain favourable, the PMD said in its latest cyclone alert.

PMD Director General Mehar Sahibzada Khan said in a press conference that the cyclone namely Asna brewed off the Karachi-Gwadar coast which may result in heavy rainfalls after hitting western coastal areas.

"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," he added.

"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."

Mehar predicted that the weather conditions would improve in southern areas after two days.

Additionally, the Met Office said that there is a possibility of heavy rain in Karachi in the next 24 hours, accompanied by strong winds and thundershowers.

The meteorology department's forecast on Friday recorded the minimum temperature in the metropolis at 26°C while the maximum temperature in the city is likely to be 28°C to 30°C.

Meanwhile, winds in the metropolis are blowing from the northeast at a speed of 22km/hour.

According to the Met Office, heavy rainfalls are likely in Sindh areas under the influence of the potential cyclonic storm.

These areas include Karachi division, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad, Tandu Muhammad Khan, Tandu Allah Yar, Matiari, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Dadu and Shaheed Benazirabad districts till August 31.

Additionally, heavy downpour is also likely in Hub, Lasbella, Awaran, Keach and Gwadar districts between August 30 to September 1 with occasional gaps.

Heavy rains may cause water logging or rain inundation in low lying areas of the Sindh-Makran coast while sea conditions are likely to remain rough with squally winds of 60-70kph gusting 80kph.

The PMD has advised fishermen in Sindh to avoid venturing into the sea till August 31 and those of Balochistan tillSeptember 1 while residents are advised to avoid unnecessary movement.

A motorist wearing raincoat drives across a road during the heavy downpour of monsoon season, near Shaheen Complex in Karachi on August 29, 2024. — PPI

Which Karachi areas received rainfall in past 24hrs?

Several parts of the port city experienced continued rainfall on Thursday, which intensified into heavy downpour later at night, with with Sarjani Town recording the highest rainfall at 127.6 milimetres, according to the meteorological department.

Meanwhile, the lowest rainfall was recorded in DHA Phase II area at 10.7mm.