Tropical cyclone “KEILA” expected to strike Oman in 24 hrs

Recorder Report

KARACHI: A tropical cyclone “KEILA” is likely to hit the coast of south Oman in the next 24 hours, the Met Office said on Wednesday.

However, it says Pakistan’s maritime belt is not under the threat from the strong weather system which is now loom large as a “deep depression” over the southwest of Arabia Sea.

The forecaster says the “deep depression” or strong weather system has intensified into a tropical cyclone and is expected to strike the Oman’s southern coast in the next 24 hours.

“The “Deep Depression” (strong weather system) over southwest Arabian Sea has intensified into a Tropical Cyclone (named – KEILA) and now lay centred at Latitude 16.0° N and Longitude 55.0° E.” the forecast advisory-3 says.

Despite, the tropical cyclone has no threats to the Pakistani coastlines, the strong weather system is likely to cause widespread rain/thundershowers heavy at time along the Makran coastal belt in the next 48 hours, the Met Office says.

It predicts scattered rain/thunderstorms are likely to fall also in lower Sindh including Karachi and the flood affected areas.

The Met Office also advised the seafarers of Balochistan to shun open sea voyages during the next 48 hours because of the sea condition is expected to remain rougher. But, it says the fishermen of Sindh could continue their fishing activities.