- Storm moves west-south vest, says Met Office.
- Cyclone Shakti is located 480 km Southwest of Karachi.
- Wind of 40-55 km/h expected along the coast of Sindh.
Karachi: The Serious Cyclonic Storm Shakti, currently swirling across the Northeast Arabian Sea, is not expected to do landfall along the coast of Sindh, The news Reported on Sunday.
However, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has said that the cyclone will bring rough sea conditions, strong wind and light rain for coastal districts this weekend.
According to MET Office’s Tropical Cyclone Warning Center in Karachi, Shakti was located about 480 kilometers southwest of Karachi on Saturday night.
The storm has moved west-southwest and is likely to trace further into the northwestern and adjoining central parts of the Arabic Sea before the curved east-north key after late Sunday.
Meteorologists expect it to be gradually weakening after repeating itself, reducing the threat of any direct landfall in Pakistan.
PMD said that although the cyclone does not pose any immediate danger to Sindh’s coastline, its outer rainbands can cause insulated showers in badin, thatta, sujawal, hub, lasbela, awaran and Kech districts.
Karachi is expected to remain partially cloudy and humid, but moderate to heavy rain is unlikely unless the system changes closer to the coast.
However, sea conditions are expected to remain dangerous for small boats and fishing vessels.
Squally winds at 40 to 50 kilometers per hour, windows up to 55 kilometers per hour are expected along the Sindh coast, while the center of the storm in the middle of the storm could reach 120 kilometers per hour with winds up to 135 kilometers per hour.
PMD has strongly advised fishermen to avoid venturing into deep sea water until at least Sunday night.
Explaining the dynamics of the cyclone said road experts that Shakti formed due to intense convection over hot sea surface temperatures exceeding 31 ° C in the Northeast Arab Sea – a common state of cyclogenesis in early October.
The system quickly intensified in a “severe cyclonic storm” as it drew energy from moisture -loaded air and the warm upper sea layer.
However, the presence of strong windscreen at the upper level and drier air to the north is expected to weaken it gradually as it moves towards cooler waters.
“Cyclone Shakti is not on a track to beat Sindh directly, but it will create dangerous sea conditions and intermittent rain in some coastal areas,” said a senior PMD official. “We continuously monitor its orbit and intensity, and further advice will be issued as the system develops.”
Satellite photos on Saturday showed dense cloud clusters around the storm’s eye and spiral rainbands extending outward, indicating lasting strength at sea. At late Sunday, Shakti is expected to move east-northeast and lose intensity and become a deep depression before spreading over open waters.
Authorities, including Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Pakistan Navy and Coastal Development Agencies, have been warned to remain vigilant and ensure readiness in the event of sudden changes in the path or intensity of the storm.
Meteorologists noted that the Arabian Sea has seen an increase in cyclonic activity in recent years, largely attributed to rising sea surface temperatures and changing climate patterns.
While most systems swing away from Pakistan’s coastline, the risk of high tide, storm waves and floods of the coast remains significant to vulnerable fishing communities along Sindh and Balochistan.
Residents of coastal areas have been encouraged to stay informed through official PMD updates, avoid unnecessary movement near the coastline and ensure that small boats are accused safely until the weather conditions are stabilized.
