Cyclone Nilofar to bring heavy rainfall to coast of Pakistan

Met dept official says cyclone will hit Oman in the next 48 to 72 hours

KARACHI: A depression over central parts of the Arabian Sea is expected to turn into a cyclone, causing strong winds along with heavy showers on the coast of Pakistan, Pakistan Meteorological Department said on Sunday.

“The cyclone is diverted towards Oman and after reaching the Oman coast, it will move north-east towards Pakistan,” Chief Meteorologist Dr Ghulam Rasool told The Express Tribune.

“However, the cyclone is not likely to directly hit Karachi,” he added.

The storm - named ‘Cylone Nilofar’ - is expected to hit Oman in the next 48 to 72 hours. The name was given by member countries - Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Mayanmar, Oman, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Thailand - based on its frequency.



MAP DESIGN: ESSA MALIK

MAP SOURCE: ACCUWEATHER

“We are expecting strong winds along with showers in Karachi, Badin, Thatta, up to Omara from October 28 to October 30,” the chief meteorologist said.

Rasool further said that Cyclone Nilofar is ‘very tricky’ and is expected to change its track rapidly.

“The final version of its track cannot be given at this stage because we expect it to change,” he said, warning fishermen in Balochistan and Karachi's coastal areas to not venture into the deep sea.

The chief meteorologist clarified that the cyclone will not go towards India. “It can, however, result in heavy rainfall at the Rann of Kutch.”