The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Sunday evening that Severe Cyclonic Storm Shakti has continued to drift away from Pakistan’s coast, moving west-south-westward over the Arabian Sea and now lying about 800km south-west of Karachi.
The system poses no direct threat to Sindh’s coastline but will keep the weather humid and slightly unstable along coastal districts for the next couple of days. According to the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre, Shakti is expected to move further south-west by Monday (today) before curving eastwards over the west-central and north-west Arabian Sea within 12 hours and gradually weakening into a cyclonic storm.
Meteorologists said the cyclone’s intensity is steadily declining, but its circulation continues to influence the regional weather pattern. Under its current influence, isolated light rain is likely along the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan. Sea conditions will remain rough to very rough with squally winds ranging between 40km and 50km per hour, gusting up to 55km near the Sindh coast. Fishermen have once again been strictly advised not to venture into deep seawaters.
The PMD said gale-force winds around the cyclone’s centre were reaching up to 120km per hour, gusting to 135km, but are expected to reduce further to around 80km to 90km per hour later on Sunday night and gradually weaken to 50km to 60km per hour over the next 36 hours.
Sea conditions will remain very rough to high until Tuesday (tomorrow), with waves likely to stay elevated over the north-west and west-central Arabian Sea. In Karachi, partly cloudy and humid weather with chances of light drizzle was expected on Sunday, followed by mostly sunny and humid conditions on Monday and Tuesday.
Maximum temperatures will remain between 32°C and 35°C, with minimum temperatures around 26°C to 28°C. Morning humidity will stay high, reaching up to 80 per cent, while dropping to 40 per cent to 70 per cent in the evening.
The PMD has advised the relevant institutions and officials, including the Sindh chief secretary, the Karachi commissioner, the Pakistan Navy, K-Electric, and the disaster management authorities in Sindh and Balochistan, to stay alert and monitor sea conditions closely.
Officials said that although Shakti has moved significantly away from the Pakistani coast, the system’s wide circulation may still trigger mild coastal showers and keep the air uncomfortably humid for the next couple of days. No heavy rainfall or severe weather threat currently exists for Karachi or other parts of Sindh.
The authorities have urged residents along the coastline to avoid unnecessary sea travel, remain cautious and follow PMD advisories as the system weakens and dissipates gradually over the Arabian Sea.
