The Met Office on Saturday issued a ‘high alert’ for the entire Sindh, especially for Thatta, Badin, Tharparkar and other coastal areas of the province in view of the cyclone ‘Shakti’ that developed over the north-eastern Arabian Sea on Saturday and was situated 390 kilometers from Karachi till last reports came in, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
“The cyclone, named Shakti by Sri Lanka, however, posed no direct threat to any coastal area of Pakistan,” Pakistan Meteorological Department spokesperson Anjum Nazir Zaigham said, adding however, rain was expected in Karachi and other coastal areas of Sindh.
Due to winds blowing at a speed of 55 kilometers per hour near the Sindh coast, the sea was likely to become turbulent, he added.
“The storm is likely to weaken during the next 24 hours,” the spokesman informed.
However, fishermen were advised not to venture into open seas until October 5.
On Friday, 24News TV channel reported that the existing low-pressure system in the Arabian Sea had intensified into a depression, and was expected to influence coastal districts of Sindh with rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds.
Light rain and lightning were likely in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Badin, Thatta, Sajawal, Tando Muhammad Khan, Hyderabad, Matiari, Jamshoro and Karachi, the channel reported.
Residents in these areas were advised to take precautions as the unstable weather continued.
The Met Office warned of strong winds blowing at 40–50 kilometers per hour near the Sindh coast.
Reporters: Ramsha Ismael and Rozeena Ali