Authorities have issued evacuation orders for residents of the islands and coastal areas in Thatta District, Sindh, as the powerful Cyclone Asna approaches the Pakistani coast. The cyclone, which is brewing in the Arabian Sea, is expected to make landfall on Friday.
Many cities in Sindh, including Karachi, have already been impacted by continuous heavy rains and have closed schools as a precaution. The cyclone’s approach has prompted widespread preparations and safety measures across the region.
Thatta Deputy Commissioner Manawar Abbas Soomro reported that transport has been arranged for the relocation of residents, and boats have been dispatched to assist those living on the islands. Temporary camps have been set up to shelter evacuees, with efforts underway to mitigate potential damage.
Chief Meteorologist Dr. Sardar Sarfaraz provided an update on the storm, stating that the deep depression currently located 200 kilometers southeast of Karachi is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm by Friday afternoon or evening. The system has moved westward and will continue to advance in a southwest direction, affecting the coastal areas of Pakistan.
Dr. Sarfaraz noted that the deep depression, which originated over the Rann of Kutch in India, has been moving west-southwest and is likely to produce heavy rains and strong winds along the southern districts of Pakistan, including Karachi and the Makran coast. There is an 80 percent chance that the system will develop into a cyclonic storm, marking a rare event for the monsoon season. If it does, it will be the first cyclone in the Arabian Sea in August since 1976 and will be named ‘Asna’.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued an advisory indicating that rain and thunderstorms with heavy to very heavy falls are expected in Awaran, Kech, and Gwadar divisions from August 30 to September 1. Sea conditions are anticipated to be rough to very rough, with squally winds reaching speeds of 50-60 km/h, gusting up to 70 km/h.
Fishermen in Sindh are advised to stay out of the open sea until August 31, and those in Balochistan until September 1. Additionally, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced that educational institutions in Karachi and other cities across the province will be closed today, following an advisory from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority.
