A rare meteorological event is unfolding over the Arabian Sea as a cyclone forms near the Saurashtra-Kutch region of Gujarat. This is only the fourth time a cyclonic storm has emerged over the Arabian Sea in August since records began. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has declared this a significant occurrence, highlighting the rarity of such events.
The IMD has confirmed that this will be the first cyclonic storm to develop in the Arabian Sea during August since 1976. While the cyclone is expected to form on August 30th, it is predicted to move towards the Oman coast, posing no direct threat to the Indian coastline. The weather department has stated that the deep depression currently over Saurashtra and Kutch is likely to move west-southwestwards, emerging over the northeast Arabian Sea off the Kutch and adjoining Pakistani coasts. It is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm by Friday.
In a post shared on August 29th, the IMD indicated that the deep depression, located approximately 90 kilometers west-northwest of Bhuj (Gujarat), will move westward and intensify into a cyclonic storm on August 30th. The storm is expected to continue moving west-southwest over the northeast Arabian Sea, away from the Indian coast, over the next two days.
The cyclone has been named ‘Asna’, a suggestion from Pakistan, once it strengthens into a cyclonic storm. This highlights the international collaboration in tracking and naming these meteorological events.
Looking back at previous occurrences of cyclones in August, the IMD notes that in 1976, a cyclone developed over Odisha, moved west-northwestwards, emerged into the Arabian Sea, made a looping track, and weakened over the northwest Arabian Sea near the Oman coast. Before this, in 1964, a brief cyclone formed near the South Gujarat coast and weakened as it approached the shore. Another cyclone in 1944 strengthened after entering the Arabian Sea but then weakened while still at sea.
These historical occurrences, coupled with the current event, underscore the dynamic and unpredictable nature of weather patterns and the importance of continuous monitoring and forecasting for potential impacts.
