The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts heavy rains for the city by Friday morning, prompted by a potential cyclone forming along the Sindh coast.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, in an X message, has urged residents to limit their movement due to an impending cyclonic storm.
The Met Office issued an alert on Thursday night, stating that the deep depression over Rann of Kutch, India, has moved west/southwestward during the last 12 hours and is now approximately 250 km east/southeast of Karachi.
“The system is likely to continue moving west/southwestwards, emerge into the northeast Arabian Sea along the Sindh coast by tomorrow morning, and intensify further into a Cyclonic Storm due to favourable environmental conditions,” the Met Office detailed.
Under this influence, the PMD forecasts widespread rain and wind thunderstorms until August 31, with some areas experiencing heavy to extremely heavy falls across Karachi and various districts in Sindh.
From August 30 to September 1, widespread rain and thunderstorms are also likely in several districts of Balochistan, with occasional gaps.
The expected torrential rains may lead to flooding in Sindh, Balochistan, and southern Punjab low-lying areas. They could trigger flash flooding in hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and local streams in Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, and other areas.
The heavy rains may also cause landslides in regions like Murree, Galliyat, and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
“Sea conditions are likely to remain rough with squally winds 50-60 km/hour gusting up to 70 km/hour,” the Met Office warned, advising fishermen in Sindh and Balochistan not to venture into the sea until their respective dates.
The PMD’s cyclone warning centre in Karachi closely monitors the system and will issue updates as necessary. Authorities should stay informed by following PMD advisories.
Earlier today, PMD’s Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz noted that if the low-pressure system develops into a cyclonic storm, it will be named “Asna,” which means “highest” and “brighter.
CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah has directed all relevant departments to enhance their readiness and response capabilities in light of the cyclone alert issued by the PMD and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
NDMA has also alerted authorities to prepare for “heavy to very heavy rain” coupled with wind/thunderstorms in parts of Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan over the next 24 to 72 hours. This highlights the need for vigilance and preparedness to handle potential urban and flash flooding.
