Cyclone Shakti Moves Closer to Karachi, Fishermen Advised to Stay Ashore

KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has reported that Cyclone Shakti, formed over the northeast Arabian Sea, is now located 360 kilometers south of Karachi and continues to move closer to the southern coastline of Pakistan.

According to the PMD, the deep depression that formed earlier has intensified into a cyclonic storm and is expected to strengthen further into a severe cyclonic storm within the next 24 hours.

The system was centered at Latitude 21.7N and Longitude 66.8E, moving west-northwest before shifting west-southwest into the central north Arabian Sea.

Under its influence, light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms are expected across several districts of Sindh and Balochistan, including Tharparkar, Umerkot, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Lasbela, and Kech, while Karachi may experience isolated light showers.

For Karachi, the weather is expected to remain cloudy and humid, with temperatures between 32°C and 34°C on Saturday and 31°C to 33°C on Sunday.

Sea conditions are projected to remain rough to very rough along the Sindh coast from October 3 to 5, with winds blowing at 40–50 km/h and gusts reaching 55 km/h. Around the cyclone’s center, winds may strengthen up to 100–110 km/h, gusting to 125 km/h.

Authorities have warned fishermen to avoid venturing into the open sea until October 5, citing dangerous waves, strong winds, and lightning that could damage weak structures, billboards, rooftops, and vehicles.