The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued its seventh advisory on Saturday regarding Cyclonic Storm “Asna,” which has shifted further west-southwestward over the Arabian Sea in the past six hours.
Here are the key cyclone-related updates:
- Storm Position: The cyclone is currently located at Latitude 23.3 N and Longitude 64.5 E, roughly 300 km southwest of Karachi, 230 km south-southwest of Ormara, and 300 km southeast of Gwadar.
- Projected Path: The storm is expected to continue tracking west-southwestward.
- Balochistan Weather Forecast: The PMD predicts rain-thundershowers, with some areas experiencing heavy rainfall and squally winds of 60-70 km/h in Hub, Lasbella, Awaran, Kech, and Gwadar districts in Balochistan until tomorrow night.
- Sindh Weather Forecast: Light to moderate rain with occasional gusty winds is expected in Karachi, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Matiari, Jamshoro, and Dadu districts in Sindh.
- Potential Flooding: Heavy rains could result in waterlogging in low-lying areas along the Makran coast. Sea conditions are also expected to remain rough to very rough, with squally winds gusting up to 80 km/h.
- Fishermen Warnings: Fishermen in Sindh are advised to avoid the open sea until tonight, while those in Balochistan are urged to stay ashore until tomorrow evening.
- Monitoring and Updates: The PMD’s cyclone warning center in Karachi is closely monitoring the situation and will issue further updates as needed. Authorities are encouraged to stay informed through PMD advisories for timely action.
- Casualties: At least 24 people have reportedly died due to rain and wind-related incidents in the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan.