Cyclone warning along Sindh coast issued

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued an alert for a potential cyclone threat along the Sindh coast due to severe low-pressure winds over the Arabian Sea, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to the weather warning released on Thursday, the low-pressure system, currently over the run-off area, is expected to approach the Sindh coastline by tonight or tomorrow.

According to the Meteorological Department, the system carries the risk of developing into a cyclone. At the moment, it is lying 270 kms southeast of Karachi.

The Met Department has proposed to name the cyclone as “Asna” which means the most highest or the most brightest.

The department has warned of heavy rains in Karachi, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sajawal, Hyderabad, and Tando Muhammad Khan as a result of the system.

The Cyclone Warning System of the Meteorological Department is closely monitoring the situation as a deep depression currently located over the Indian Rann of Kutch and adjoining areas has been moving slowly over the last 12 hours.

Weather office Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz said the deep depression is expected to enter the Northeast Arabian Sea either late tonight or by tomorrow morning.

He said that the low-pressure system may intensify into a storm by tomorrow.

The local authorities are monitoring the situation closely as the system approaches the Arabian Sea.

More rain-wind/thundershower is expected in most parts of Sindh and northeast/south Balochistan, while at scattered places in Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

Heavy rainfalls are also expected in lower Sindh, northeast/south Balochistan, northeast/central Punjab, Pothohar region, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir during the period.

Fishing, swimming in sea banned

Commissioner Karachi has banned fishing after issuance of cyclone warning along Sindh coast and issued notification in this regard. 

From today till August 31, fishermen should avoid fishing in the open sea, Commissioner Karachi ordered.

Commissioner Karachi also banned bathing and swimming in the sea.

Monsoon floods in India's Gujarat kill 28 people

Intense monsoon rains and floods in India's Gujarat state killed at least 28 people in the past three days, some drowning and others hit by falling trees, government officials said.

The weather department warned more heavy rain is expected on Thursday in the western coastal state.

Rivers have burst their banks and more than 30,000 people fled their homes.

The state government said late Wednesday that 13 people had died from drowning and the rest from houses or trees collapsing on them.

The Indian Express newspaper said 35 people had died so far across the state.

Some 1,856 people were rescued by disaster and army officials deployed for relief operations.

Vadodara was among the worst affected cities, the press release said.

Electricity connections were badly affected, with some 1,000 villages grappling without power.

Images and video released by disaster officials showed them using inflatable boats and tyres to rescue people stranded by surging waters.

Rains cause widespread destruction every year, but experts say climate change is shifting weather patterns and increasing the number of extreme weather events.

The northeastern Indian state of Tripura was hit by floods and landslides last week, with more than 20 people killed.

In neighbouring Bangladesh, downriver from India, floods killed at least 40 people over the same period, with nearly 300,000 residents taking refuge in emergency shelters.

Reporter Aaima Khan