KARACHI: Cyclone Shakti has further strengthened and developed into a severe cyclonic storm, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Saturday.
However the storm is unlikely to have any direct impact on the city of Karachi.
According to officials, Karachi does not currently lie on its direct path, the city and other coastal areas of Sindh remain vulnerable to high winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous sea conditions in the coming days.
The storm is currently located about 390 kilometres southwest of Karachi. The PMD warned that severe turbulence would continue in the central-northern and northern Arabian Sea for the next 36 hours, while Sindh’s coastal belt is expected to face rough conditions.
Under the system’s influence, rainfall is likely today in Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Jamshoro, Hub, Lasbela, Awaran, and Kech. Parts of Karachi may also experience light to moderate showers accompanied by thunder.
Near the cyclone’s centre, sustained winds are projected between 90 and 100 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching up to 110km/h by this evening. Along the Sindh coast, winds of 40–50km/h are expected, with gusts near the sea rising to 55km/h, according to a advisory issued by the PMD.
Sea conditions are forecast to remain rough to very rough, and to become high to very high till October 6.
“Fishermen are strongly advised not to venture into the open sea until October 5,” the advisory said, adding that strong currents and squally winds will make conditions near the Sindh coast highly dangerous.
An alert has been issued for the coastal areas of Makran, with meteorologists warning that the next 24 hours are critical. The Fisheries Department has also urged fishermen to remain on land.
