Asna storm no more a threat after moving away from Karachi

The effects of the cyclonic storm are almost over, as the Asna storm moved far away from Karachi’s coastline on Sunday, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

The PMD said the storm has moved further south-westward during the past 12 hours, weakened into a deep depression, and now lies at around latitude 22.0 N and longitude 61.2 E at a distance of about 320km north-east of Masirah Island, Oman, 340km east-south-east of Muscat, Oman, and 370km south of Gwadar.

The system will likely continue moving south-westward, and further weaken into a depression by late Sunday night or early Monday morning.

Sea conditions will likely remain rough to very rough, with squally winds of 40-50km/h, gusting 60km/h till Sunday night. The PMD advised fishermen of Balochistan not to venture into the open sea till Monday.

However, the Met Office said that light rain or drizzle is expected in Karachi because of the prevailing overcast. The system of rain, and strong and gusty winds has also died down, as winds in the morning blew from the north-east at the speed of 12km.

The department permitted fishermen of Sindh to resume their activities in the sea from Sunday, and warned fishermen of Balochistan not to go into the deep sea for another day. “About 60-70km/h wind might blow in the cyclone Asna in the meanwhile.”

PMD Director General Mehar Sahibzada Khan said cyclone Asna is brewing off the Karachi-Gwadar coast, and can result in heavy rainfall after hitting the western coastal areas. Meanwhile, the Met Office said sea breeze can resume in Karachi in the evening or night.

The PMD said in its daily forecast that the sky would remain partly cloudy during the next 24 hours, with intermittent light rains or drizzles in the city.

The minimum temperature was recorded to be 23.5°C, with the city likely to experience the maximum temperature of 30-32°C during the day. The weather department recorded the humidity ratio in the air at 91 per cent.

At 6.6mm, Korangi recorded the highest precipitation on Sunday, followed by 4mm at the PAF Base Faisal, 3mm at the PAF Base Masroor (Mauripur) and 2.5mm in Keamari.