Read also: Why name a cyclone ‘Ashobaa’?
In a detailed statement on its website on June 11, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said that the Cyclone Ashobhaa was now at Latitude 20.6 degrees North and Longitude 61 degrees East, about 500 kms south of Gwadar and 220 kms east of Oman’s Masirah Island.It also said that the “danger for Pakistan’s coastal areas was over”.
The cyclone, it said, is likely to weaken gradually, move further westward and cross the coast of Oman the evening/night of June 11.
The danger for Pakistani coastal area is over, but however due to high tidal flow the sea conditions are likely to remain rough along Makran coast (Gwadar and Jiwani) accompanied with occasional gusty winds and maximum surge of 10 ft.
Ashobaa’s location in the Indian Ocean as of June 11 at 1000 Pakistan Standard Time, as seen on the Pakistan Met Department’s website
The Tropical Cyclone (ASHOBAA) over west-central Arabian Sea has further moved west-northwestward during past 12 hours and now lies centred at Lat 21.3N and Long 61.5E about 650 km southwest of Karachi and 400 km east-southeast of Masqat (Oman). The cyclone is likely to intensify further during next 12 hrs and keep moving west-northwestward towards the coast of Oman.
In an earlier statement, the Pakistan Met Office had said that under the influence of this system an extended clouds band prevails over the Makran coast and south Punjab due to which scattered rain/thundershowers with isolated heavy falls are expected in southwest Balochistan (Pasni, Gwadar, Turbat, Kech and Jiwani) during next 24-36 hrs (with gradual increase in rainfall intensity from moderate to heavy) and over south Punjab.
Rough sea conditions are expected along Sindh coast and very rough conditions are likely along Makran coast while strong winds are expected to blow while the waves are expected to rise by 12 to 15 feet.
