After the tropical cyclone alert, the local authorities placed a ban on fishermen of Karachi and Thatta coastal belt from hunting in the Arabian Sea. The Director General of the Meteorological Department has issued an alert as a cyclone named "Asni" is forming near Karachi.
The cyclone forming is the first time since 1964 that such a weather event is occurring in August, as cyclones in the region typically form in May and June.
The cyclone, which has moved from land to sea, is expected to intensify into a hurricane within the next six hours, bringing stormy rains to Karachi, Tharparkar, and other areas. Balochistan is also expected to experience heavy rainfall until September 1, with the effects extending to South Punjab and Islamabad.
High sea waves are anticipated as the cyclone's intensity persists for the next three to four days. In the upper regions, including the Kabul River area, rains are expected from September 2 to 4. The weather is predicted to improve in Sindh and Balochistan after two days.
Meanwhile, the DG Meteorological Department reported that Mangala Dam still has water capacity, despite the 56% increase in rainfall in Punjab and a 125% rise in Sindh. Balochistan has seen a 200% increase in rainfall, while Sindh recorded a staggering 318% increase. In contrast, July saw a 60% decrease in rainfall from normal levels, but August witnessed a 100% overall increase.
Third alert issued, Cyclone Asna live tracker
The Meteorological department has issued a third alert for a tropical cyclone, with the system currently 200 km east and southeast of the city.
Karachi is experiencing intense rainfall for the fourth consecutive day as Hurricane Asna continues to impact the region.
The heavy rains have led to significant disruptions across Karachi. Sarjani Town has recorded 127.6 mm of rain, while Gulshan Hadid saw 46 mm, Nazimabad 45.2 mm, and Kemari 42 mm. The continuous downpour has submerged roads and caused widespread damage. Key areas such as Clifton Block Two are heavily affected, with roads submerged and heavy blocks placed around damaged infrastructure.
Strong winds accompanying the rains have resulted in fallen trees in Gulshan Iqbal and Gulistan Johar, further complicating the situation. Despite the challenges, some citizens express their happiness with the rains. However, the overall damage to the city's infrastructure is substantial, requiring immediate attention and repair.
Deep depression over Rann of Kutch
A deep depression is present over Rann of Kutch, India and lies at a distance of 250km east/southeast of Karachi, and likely to intensify into a Cyclonic storm during the next six hours.
The local administration asked fishermen not to dive or hunt in the sea. Many departments including revenue and health departments are instructed to remain alert for the tropical cyclone in Thatta.
Pakistan Fisher Forum central leader Syed Gulab Shah stated that many fishermen's boats have reached the seashore.
The weather office forecast that the weather is cloudy in Keti Bandar and its surroundings.
Fishermen anchor boats at Korangi Ibrahim Hydari as typhoon threat looms
In response to the looming threat of a typhoon, fishermen along the coastline of Korangi Ibrahim Hydari have been advised to avoid venturing into the open sea. Thousands of boats have already anchored at Siddique Jetty, with many fishermen returning as early as August 25.
The fishermen, now facing days of inactivity, express frustration over the lack of government support, highlighting the financial strain of sitting idle. While many have begun repairing their boats during this downtime, the high waves and the fear of the approaching storm continue to worry the coastal community.
Widespread rain/wind thunderstorms with scattered heavy-very heavy to isolated extremely heavy falls likely in Karachi division, Tharparker, Badin, Thatta, Sajawal, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allah Yar, Matiari, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Dadu & Shaheed Benazirabad districts till 31 August with occasional gaps. Widespread rain/wind thunderstorms with scattered heavy-very heavy to isolated extremely heavy falls is also likely in Hub, Lasbella, Awaran, Keach & Gwadar districts during 30 August to 1st September.
The weather office said torrential rains may generate pluvial flood/inundation in low lying areas of Sindh, Balochistan and southern Punjab. Torrential rains may generate flash Flooding in Hill torrents of D.G Khan and local nullahs/streams of Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Kalat, Khuzdar, Jaffarabad, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Barkhan, Loralai, Awaran, Panjgur, Washuk, Mastung and Lasbella. Heavy rains may trigger Landslides in Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Read more: Cyclone Asna update: Second warning issued for Sindh’s coastal areas
