Cyclonic storm within Arabian Sea likely to hit Pakistan's Sindh

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- A severe low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea off the coast of Pakistan is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm which may cause torrential rains and strong winds in the country's south Sindh province, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Thursday.

The PMD said in a statement that if the system develops as anticipated, it will be named "Asna," a name symbolizing "highest" and "brighter."

The system, located at about 277 km southeast of Karachi, is expected to emerge into the northeast Arabian Sea along the Sindh coast by late Thursday night or early Friday morning, the NDMA said.

As the depression intensifies, widespread rains, wind, and thunderstorms with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall are anticipated across several districts in Sindh, and the intense weather conditions are expected to persist until Saturday, with occasional breaks, the NDMA added.

The approaching storm poses significant risks. The provincial authorities have issued warnings advising fishermen to stay ashore until Saturday, and the public is urged to avoid visiting beaches and to remain vigilant around loose structures such as billboards, electrical poles, and hoardings, the authority noted.

In response to the looming threat, the NDMA has called on federal ministries, provincial governments, and local administrations to take immediate preventive measures, including alerting residents in low-lying areas, limiting tourist activity, securing loose structures, and ensuring the readiness of emergency services.

Emergency Operation Centers have been activated to monitor the situation around the clock, while local administrations have been instructed to pre-position dewatering pumps and secure essential resources, the NDMA stated.