Tropical cyclone alert: Karachi braces for intensifying low-pressure system in Arabian Sea

Potential cyclone named 'Asna' is expected to develop in the Arabian Sea. Karachi and nearby areas are on alert

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The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a tropical cyclone alert due to a potential storm developing in the northeastern Arabian Sea and over India's Rann of Kutch region.

According to the PMD, a deep depression, which is an area of very low pressure, has been slowly moving west-southwest over the past 12 hours. Currently, it is situated approximately 270 kilometres southeast of Karachi.

The system is expected to continue moving west-southwest and could reach the northeastern Arabian Sea along Sindh's coast by late tonight or tomorrow morning.

Environmental conditions, such as sea surface temperature and upper-level divergence, are conducive for this system to intensify into a tropical cyclone by tomorrow.

The initial trajectory suggests the cyclone could move towards the west-southwest, impacting Karachi Division, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sajawal, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, and Dadu.

These regions could experience heavy rains with thunderstorms until 31 August.

Winds are expected to reach speeds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour, with the sea conditions remaining rough to very rough. Fishermen are advised to avoid venturing into the sea until 31 August.

The PMD's Cyclone Warning Centre is closely monitoring the situation, and all relevant authorities are urged to stay informed through official advisories.

If the cyclone forms, it will be named "Asna," a name proposed by Pakistan, meaning "higher."