Tropical cyclone edges closer, rain and thunderstorm expected in Karachi

The deep depression over east-central Arabian Sea has aggravated further into a Tropical Cyclone

KARACHI: A Tropical cyclone ASHOBBA which has been gaining momentum has moved north-northwestward in last six hours, 730 kilometers south of Karachi.

It is  moving at a speed of 15km/hr and now lies centred around Lat 18.2N and Long 67.0E. The cyclone could pose as a significant threat to the Karachi’s coast and surrounding areas.

The cyclone is expected to intensify and move north-westward in the next 24 hours, according to a Met Office statement.

The deep depression over Arabian Sea has aggravated further into a Tropical Cyclone, the Met Office observed.

The Met Office has also predicted rain and thunderstorms of moderate intensity (25 -35 mm) accompanied with winds of 30-40km/hour in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Tharparker, Thatta , Badin and Sujawal districts of lower Sindh in the next 24-48hours. Rain is also expected in South Balochistan within the next 36 hours.PHOTO: PMD

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The Met Office Pakistan has advised all concerned parties to remain alert for updates to be able to cope with the situation. It also cautioned fisherman of Sindh and Balochistan not to venture in the open sea from Tuesday to Friday.

Sea conditions along Sindh-Makran coast are expected to remain rough to very rough accompanied by stormy winds from Monday to Friday.PHOTO: PMD

On Saturday, the Met Office reported that the cyclone was 1,200km away from the coast and warned fishermen in Sindh and Balochistan against venturing into the sea.