KARACHI / QUETTA: While Cyclone Asna has largely moved away from Sindh, parts of Balochistan may still experience thundershowers and heavy downpours along the coastal areas until Sunday night, according to a senior official at the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
“The cyclone is moving away from both Sindh and Balochistan, but coastal areas in Balochistan may still see rain and thundershowers until the cyclone dissipates at sea by Sunday night before reaching Oman,” said Chief Meteorologist Dr. Sardar Sarfaraz.
This system, which started as a low-pressure area over east Rajasthan, India, brought heavy rainfall to Balochistan from August 26, leading to flash floods and worsening conditions due to poor infrastructure. Meanwhile, reports of another low-pressure system developing over the Bay of Bengal are still too early to confirm as a cyclone.
A PMD advisory released on Saturday indicated that Cyclone Asna is about 370km southwest of Karachi, 250km southwest of Ormara, and 260km south-southeast of Gwadar. The system is expected to continue westward until Sunday before turning southwestward and gradually weakening.
Balochistan’s coastal areas, including Hub, Lasbella, Awaran, Ormara, Pasni, Gwadar, Jiwani, Turbat, and Panjgur, are likely to experience rain, thundershowers, and squally winds until Sunday night. Heavy rains may cause waterlogging in low-lying areas along the Makran coast. Fishermen in Balochistan are advised not to venture into the sea until the night of September 1, while those in Sindh can resume activities from tomorrow.
Massive Destruction in Balochistan
Heavy monsoon rains and flash floods continue to devastate Balochistan, damaging road infrastructure, destroying mud houses, and leaving hundreds homeless. The Quetta-Chaman highway, a key route for Afghan transit trade, has been washed away at multiple points.
In the Khojak Pass area, which connects Quetta with Chaman and Kandahar, heavy rainfall caused severe damage to the historic Shella Bagh railway tunnel, now filled with mud and impassable, leading to the suspension of train services between Quetta and Chaman. Heavy rains have also washed away parts of the N-25 highway, further disrupting trade and traffic.
Flood emergencies have been declared in various districts, with many villages submerged and families displaced in Qila Abdullah, Jhal Magsi, and other areas. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has dispatched boats, tents, and relief goods to assist those affected.
Thirteen people have been reported swept away in flash floods across Loralai, Qila Saifullah, Duki, Harnai, and Jhal Magsi. Rivers and seasonal streams, including Bolan, Nari Gaj, Lehri, and Mola, are carrying heavy floodwaters, with irrigation officials reporting dangerously high water levels.
