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NEW DELHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning on Friday that a deep depression in the region could intensify into a cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea, off the coasts of Gujarat’s Kachchh and neighboring Pakistan. The depression is rapidly intensifying and is expected to develop into a cyclonic storm within the next 6 hours.
IMD warnings on deep depression
“Deep depression over Kachchh & adjoining areas of Kachchh coast and adjoining areas of Pakistan & Northeast Arabian Sea, about 50 km west-northeast of Naliya (Gujarat),” IMD said in a post on X.
“It is likely to move nearly westwards, emerge into NE Arabian Sea off Kachchh & adjoining Pak coasts and intensify into a CS during next 06 hrs. Thereafter, it would continue to move nearly west-northwestwards over NE Arabian Sea away from Indian coast during subsequent 2 days,” it added.
“Deep depression over Kutch and adjoining areas is likely to move nearly westwards into northeast Arabian sea and intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours. It would then move west-northwestwards away from Indian coast during subsequent two days,” IMD had earlier said in a statement on Thursday night.
“During this period, the sea condition will be rough and wind speed may reach up to 75 kmph along and off the Gujarat coast,” the IMD added.
What will be the cyclone named
The cyclone – called ‘Asna’ if formed – is, however, not expected to affect Indian coasts as it’s moving towards the Arabian sea, away from the land. The name ‘Asna’ is given by Pakistan in the list of names of tropical cyclones as per standard protocol.
The cyclones around South Asia are usually formed during the pre-Monsoon (March-May) or the post-Monsoon (October-December) period.
PMD warnings on deep depression
Pakistan’s Karachi experienced heavy rainfall and strong winds earlier on the day prompting officials to suspend classes. The local weather office reported that some areas of the city received 147 mm (5.79 inches) of rain during the night.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that the low-pressure area from the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat is moving towards Karachi as reported by Geo News.
The PMD on Friday said: “The deep depression (DD, very strong low-pressure area) over Rann of Kutch, India has slowly moved west-southwestward during last 12 hours and now lies at around Latitude 23.6 N & Longitude 69.2 E at about 250km east/southeast of Karachi. The system is likely keep moving further west/southwestwards, emerge into northeast Arabian Sea along Sindh coast by tomorrow morning and intensify further into a Cyclonic Storm (CS) due to favorable environmental conditions, sea surface temperature, low/moderate vertical wind shear and upper-level divergence.”
Precautionary measures for India and Pak
Following the IMD warning, chief minister Bhupendra Patel visited the State Emergency Operations Centre in Gandhinagar on Thursday night and discussed the district administration’s preparedness with Arora via video conference, according to an official release.
Authorities in Gujarat’s Kutch district advised residents living in temporary structures and huts to seek shelter in sturdier buildings, such as schools, temples, or other suitable accommodations. The Kutch Collector, Amit Arora, released a video message specifically addressing the inhabitants of Abdasa, Mandvi, and Lakhpat talukas and appealed to the local community to demonstrate compassion and extend assistance to those in need by offering shelter in their homes until Friday evening.
Pakistani authorities have cautioned fishermen and sailors against venturing out to sea due to the potential dangers posed by the storm. They have also issued warnings about the likelihood of urban flooding and flash floods in mountainous regions in the forthcoming days as a result of the expected cyclonic storm.
Karachi authorities decided to close schools on Friday due to a deep depression in the Arabian Sea that could develop into a cyclonic storm.
Fourth cyclone in August since 1944
“Development of cyclonic storms in the month of August over the Arabian Sea is a rare activity,” said the IMD, noting that there have been, however, a total of 28 such systems in the month of August over the BoB during last 132 years.
It’ll be only the fourth cyclone to develop in the Arabian sea in August since 1944. Three such August cyclones (1944, 1964, 1976) were developed where a weather system had its genesis over land before it finally transformed into a cyclonic storm after reaching the sea. The latest one had its genesis over BoB. It criss-crossed the entire landmass.
More than 28 people have died, and around 18,000 have been evacuated from cities near the Gujarat coast since Sunday, disaster management authorities reported on Thursday, as more rain is anticipated with the cyclonic storm intensifying.
(With input from agencies)
IMD warnings on deep depression
“Deep depression over Kachchh & adjoining areas of Kachchh coast and adjoining areas of Pakistan & Northeast Arabian Sea, about 50 km west-northeast of Naliya (Gujarat),” IMD said in a post on X.
“It is likely to move nearly westwards, emerge into NE Arabian Sea off Kachchh & adjoining Pak coasts and intensify into a CS during next 06 hrs. Thereafter, it would continue to move nearly west-northwestwards over NE Arabian Sea away from Indian coast during subsequent 2 days,” it added.
“Deep depression over Kutch and adjoining areas is likely to move nearly westwards into northeast Arabian sea and intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours. It would then move west-northwestwards away from Indian coast during subsequent two days,” IMD had earlier said in a statement on Thursday night.
“During this period, the sea condition will be rough and wind speed may reach up to 75 kmph along and off the Gujarat coast,” the IMD added.
What will be the cyclone named
The cyclone – called ‘Asna’ if formed – is, however, not expected to affect Indian coasts as it’s moving towards the Arabian sea, away from the land. The name ‘Asna’ is given by Pakistan in the list of names of tropical cyclones as per standard protocol.
The cyclones around South Asia are usually formed during the pre-Monsoon (March-May) or the post-Monsoon (October-December) period.
PMD warnings on deep depression
Pakistan’s Karachi experienced heavy rainfall and strong winds earlier on the day prompting officials to suspend classes. The local weather office reported that some areas of the city received 147 mm (5.79 inches) of rain during the night.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that the low-pressure area from the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat is moving towards Karachi as reported by Geo News.
The PMD on Friday said: “The deep depression (DD, very strong low-pressure area) over Rann of Kutch, India has slowly moved west-southwestward during last 12 hours and now lies at around Latitude 23.6 N & Longitude 69.2 E at about 250km east/southeast of Karachi. The system is likely keep moving further west/southwestwards, emerge into northeast Arabian Sea along Sindh coast by tomorrow morning and intensify further into a Cyclonic Storm (CS) due to favorable environmental conditions, sea surface temperature, low/moderate vertical wind shear and upper-level divergence.”
Precautionary measures for India and Pak
Following the IMD warning, chief minister Bhupendra Patel visited the State Emergency Operations Centre in Gandhinagar on Thursday night and discussed the district administration’s preparedness with Arora via video conference, according to an official release.
Authorities in Gujarat’s Kutch district advised residents living in temporary structures and huts to seek shelter in sturdier buildings, such as schools, temples, or other suitable accommodations. The Kutch Collector, Amit Arora, released a video message specifically addressing the inhabitants of Abdasa, Mandvi, and Lakhpat talukas and appealed to the local community to demonstrate compassion and extend assistance to those in need by offering shelter in their homes until Friday evening.
Pakistani authorities have cautioned fishermen and sailors against venturing out to sea due to the potential dangers posed by the storm. They have also issued warnings about the likelihood of urban flooding and flash floods in mountainous regions in the forthcoming days as a result of the expected cyclonic storm.
Karachi authorities decided to close schools on Friday due to a deep depression in the Arabian Sea that could develop into a cyclonic storm.
Fourth cyclone in August since 1944
“Development of cyclonic storms in the month of August over the Arabian Sea is a rare activity,” said the IMD, noting that there have been, however, a total of 28 such systems in the month of August over the BoB during last 132 years.
It’ll be only the fourth cyclone to develop in the Arabian sea in August since 1944. Three such August cyclones (1944, 1964, 1976) were developed where a weather system had its genesis over land before it finally transformed into a cyclonic storm after reaching the sea. The latest one had its genesis over BoB. It criss-crossed the entire landmass.
More than 28 people have died, and around 18,000 have been evacuated from cities near the Gujarat coast since Sunday, disaster management authorities reported on Thursday, as more rain is anticipated with the cyclonic storm intensifying.
(With input from agencies)
