Cyclone Asna: Gujarat Coast Averts Threat? Heavy Rains Lash Kutch; Know IMD Update On Storm Course

IMD stated that the deep depression is likely to continue to move nearly west-northwestwards over the northeast Arabian Sea, away from the Indian coast, over the next two days.

Cyclone Asna: Cyclone Asna, which was triggered by the same deep depression that caused torrential rains and flooding in Gujarat, is now likely to continue to move away from the Indian coast over the next two days, according to India Meteorological Department. The deep depression had intensified into a rare cyclone off the coast of Kutch and adjoining areas of Pakistan and was said to take form of a cyclonic storm on Friday in the state, which is already grappling with the floods.

"The deep depression over Kutch coast and adjoining areas of Pakistan and Northeast Arabian Sea moved westward and intensified into cyclonic storm 'Asna' (pronounced as As-Na) and lay centered over the same region, 190 km west-northwest of Bhuj (Gujarat), 100 km west north-west of Naliya, and 170 km south east of Karachi," IMD said

"It is likely to continue to move nearly west-northwestwards over the northeast Arabian Sea, away from the Indian coast, over the next two days," the weather department added.

According to IMD, eight hours ago the "deep depression was over Kutch and adjoining areas of Saurashtra, northeast Arabian Sea and Pakistan. It moved westwards over Kutch coast and adjoining areas of Pakitan and northeast Arabian Sea, 160 km west of Bhuj (Gujarat), 70 km WNW of Naliya (Gujarat) and 190 km ESE of Karachi (Pakistan)."

Rain-related incidents have claimed 26 lives over the past three days in Gujarat. Over 18,000 people have been relocated, and around 1,200 have been rescued from flood-affected areas,according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).

Amid the looming scare of Cyclone Asna, the IMD has forecast very heavy rainfall over the Saurashtra and Kutch region. In the past 24 hours till 8:30 AM on August 30, the Saurashtra and Kutch region have witnessed heavy rainfall with Mandvi in Kutch receiving the highest 33 cm rainfall. Mundra in Kutch received 22 cm, followed by Okha 17 cm, Abdasa 16 cm, and Naliya 16 cm.

Kutch East SP Sagar Bagmar said: "There has been heavy rainfall in the Kutch region in the last 3-4 days. There has been waterlogging in many places. The administration has rescued people... NDRF, SDRF, local police, marine commando and city administration have rescued people... We are providing complete facilities to the rescued people... Police, Homeguard and GRD have been deployed in vulnerable places..."

Cyclone Asna, which has been named by Pakistan, is the first cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea in August since 1976. Between 1891 and 2023, the Arabian Sea has witnessed the formation of only three cyclonic storms during August (in 1976, 1964, and 1944).

The 1976 cyclone originated over Odisha, moved west-northwestward, entered the Arabian Sea, followed a looping track, and weakened over the northwest Arabian Sea near the Oman coast. The 1944 cyclone intensified after emerging into the Arabian Sea before weakening. In 1964, another short-lived cyclone developed near the South Gujarat coast and weakened near the coast, according to the IMD.