Coastal towns and cities in Sindh braced for heavy rains as Cyclonic Storm ‘ASNA’ approached. By late Friday, the storm, located 120 km south of Karachi, had moved westward from the city after causing significant rainfall.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the cyclone had shifted westward over the northeast Arabian Sea and was situated at Latitude 23.8 N and Longitude 66.6 E.
It was about 120 km south of Karachi, 180 km southwest of Thatta, 250 km southeast of Ormara, and 440 km east-southeast of Gwadar. The storm was expected to continue moving west-northwest and then west-southwest.
Heavy downpours began early Saturday, drenching Karachi for several hours before easing by 8 am. As a precaution, schools in Karachi and Hyderabad were closed on Friday due to the severe weather.
The PMD forecasted continued rain and thunderstorms with possible heavy falls and squally winds (60-70 km/h, gusting to 80 km/h) in Karachi Division, as well as in districts such as Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allah Yar, Matiari, Jamshoro, and Dadu in Sindh until August 31.
Similar conditions were expected in Hub, Lasbella, Awaran, Kech, and Gwadar in Balochistan until September 1. Heavy rain could lead to waterlogging in low-lying areas of the Makran coast.
Sea conditions are anticipated to remain rough to very rough, with strong squally winds. Fishermen in Sindh are advised to avoid venturing into the sea until August 31, and those in Balochistan until September 1. Public safety warnings include avoiding seaside visits and staying clear of loose structures.
The PMD also predicted widespread heavy rains over the next three days, impacting various districts in Sindh and along the Balochistan coast.
