Cyclone Asna: Dead fish wash ashore near Karachi Port due to sea turbulence

KARACHI:

A large number of dead fish have washed ashore near the Karachi Port at Keamari, driven by heavy rains, strong winds, and sea turbulence.

Waves have begun to push marine life towards the shore at Keamari, where local fishermen have started collecting the fish to sell to factories that produce poultry feed.

According to Muhammad Moazzam Khan, a technical advisor at WWF, the dead fish belong to two species known as mullet and spotted scat, locally referred to as boi and seriyoon. “Monsoon rains have caused sediments from the mangrove areas to mix with seawater, leading to contamination,” Khan said.

He warned that fishermen are gathering these dead fish to sell to poultry plants. "These marine creatures have died due to abnormal sea conditions, so consuming them directly could be harmful," he added.

Khan advised the public that while the dead fish may appear fresh, they could be highly contaminated and pose health risks.

The threat of Cyclone Asna looms over Karachi, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) declaring the next six hours as critical.

Director General of the Meteorological Department, Sahibzada Khan, stated in a press conference that Cyclone Asna has transformed into a deep depression upon reaching Rajasthan.

“This is the first time in 60 years, since 1964, that such a cyclone has formed. Currently, it is located 200 kilometres south of Karachi and may intensify into a tropical storm within the next six hours,” he said.

Khan further noted that the severe low-pressure system is highly likely to evolve into a cyclone within the next six hours. This could result in strong winds and heavy, torrential rain across Karachi Division, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Dadu, and Shaheed Benazirabad districts.

Certain areas of Balochistan might also be affected.