Cyclone Shakti churns 400km off Karachi coast

Fishermen advised to avoid deep sea through October 5

KARACHI:

The atmospheric depression in Arabian Sea has become a cyclone and has been named Shakti by Sri Lanka. The storm is approximately 400 kilometers away from Karachi.

There is no direct threat to any coastal area of Pakistan from the cyclone, Pakistan Meteorological Department spokesperson Anjum Nazir Zaigham said.

However, rain is expected in Karachi and other coastal areas. Due to winds blowing at a speed of 55 kilometers per hour near the Sindh coast, the sea is likely to become turbulent.

By the evening of October 5, winds around the system, initially at 85kmph, may occasionally exceed 125 kmph.

Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the deep sea until October 5.

Very high waves are likely to form in the sea between today (Saturday) and October 6. Earlier Friday morning, the Meteorological Depart-ment issued its fifth alert regarding the aforementioned marine activity (which was then a Deep Depression).

The PMD stated that the pressure system in the northeastern Arabian Sea had moved west-northwest over the past 12 hours and turned into a deep depression.