A low-pressure weather system has developed over the east-central Arabian Sea about 1,075 kilometres southeast of Karachi which may intensify into a deep depression or even a cyclonic storm over the weekend, said the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Thursday.
The PMD stated the weather system was moving southeast of Karachi and northwards.
It stated that currently there was no danger for Pakistan’s coastal regions, but the system was also being watched intensely by the Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC).
Meteorologists explained that warm sea surface temperatures were intensifying the system’s development.
It could develop into a depression over the next 36 hours and if the favourable conditions continued, could intensify further into a deep depression or even a cyclonic storm on May 24 or 25, they said.
A cyclonic storm is a strong, rotating weather system that develops over warm ocean waters. It starts when the sun warms the sea, and the warm, humid air rises.
As the sun heats the ocean, warm air rises and cools, forming clouds. Meanwhile, more warm air flows in underneath, and the Earth’s rotation causes the air to spin.
Eventually, this wind spiral and rain can develop into a severe storm, which tends to bring heavy rain, damaging winds, and coastal flooding.
Storm surges create very risky and dangerous waves, and individuals must avoid the sea during a cyclonic storm because it can wash them away.
