• Storm currently positioned 360km south of Karachi is expected to escalate into a severe cyclonic storm
• Several districts across Sindh expected to witness moderate rainfall and thunderstorms; Karachi to see cloudy skies with isolated drizzle

A deepening depression over the Arabian Sea has intensified into a cyclone ‘Shakhti’ and is expected to escalate into a severe cyclonic storm within the next 24 hours as it heads towards the central-north Arabian Sea, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

Presently positioned roughly 360km south of Karachi, the cyclone has already intensified over the last six hours, the PMD alert issued at 5pm on Friday said.

It is moving in a west-northwest direction and is projected to gain further strength as it advances towards west-southwest and reach the central-northern Arabian Sea within the next 24 hours, it added.

The Met Office has warned advising fishermen to avoid venturing into deep waters until Sunday.

Additionally, it has alerted coastal communities to remain vigilant and stay informed about the storm’s developments.

Warning of potentially hazardous maritime conditions, the Met Office said seas are expected to turn “rough to very rough,” with squally winds reaching speeds of 40-50 km/h, gusting to 55 km/h along the Sindh coastline.

The department have raised concerns about infrastructure vulnerability, cautioning that windstorms and lightning could pose significant risks to temporary dwellings, known locally as kacha houses, as well as electricity infrastructure, advertising hoardings, vehicles and solar installations.

Consequently, several districts across Sindh are bracing for the storm’s impact, with wind, thunderstorms and moderate rainfall forecast for Tharparker, Umerkot, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Tando Muhammad Khan, Hyderabad, Matiari and Jamshoro.

Isolated showers are also expected in parts of Karachi division, whilst hot, dry conditions will persist elsewhere in the province.

Today, Karachi is forecast to experience mostly cloudy and humid conditions with possible isolated drizzle. Temperatures are expected to peak between 32-34C, with morning humidity levels reaching 75-85 per cent before dropping to 60-70pc by evening.

The storm development follows meteorological reports indicating that moisture currents from both the Bay of Bengal and the northern Arabian Sea are expected to strengthen between Oct 4-6.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2025