Amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East, the Houthis have claimed responsibility for a drone strike on a ship in the Arabian Sea, citing a violation of their ‘entry ban’ imposed in support of Hamas. This action, coupled with recent missile attacks, highlights the group’s escalating efforts to target vessels in the region and further complicate the conflict.
Cyclone Asna, a rare meteorological event originating in the Arabian Sea, has moved away from the Gujarat coast after developing as a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. The cyclone, only the fourth to form in the Arabian Sea in August since 1944, is currently moving west-northwest and is expected to weaken in the coming days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for several regions due to heavy rainfall and has advised fishermen to avoid certain areas.
A rare cyclonic storm, named Asna, is forming in the Arabian Sea, prompting heavy rain warnings for parts of India, including Gujarat and coastal Karnataka. The IMD has issued red and orange alerts for various regions, predicting very heavy rainfall in some areas. This unusual August cyclone is expected to move towards the Oman coast.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced the formation of Cyclone Asna in the north Arabian Sea, marking the first August cyclone in the North Indian Ocean region since 1981. This cyclone developed from a deep depression that brought heavy rains to Gujarat, and is expected to intensify as it moves towards the coast of Pakistan and Iran.
A rare cyclonic storm is forming over the Arabian Sea, marking only the fourth such event in August since 1944. This cyclone, named ‘Asna’ by Pakistan, is expected to emerge over the Arabian Sea on August 30th and move towards the Oman coast. The storm will not impact the Indian coast directly.
Three Indian Coast Guard ships have been battling a fire aboard a cargo vessel in the Arabian Sea for over 12 hours, preventing its spread. The vessel, MV Maersk Frankfurt, reported explosions on its front deck while sailing from Gujarat to Colombo. No casualties have been reported, and the coast guard is conducting aerial assessments and sending additional ships to assist in the firefighting operation.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has apprehended an Iranian fishing vessel carrying six Indian crew members who were allegedly exploited and mistreated by the boat owner. The Iranian vessel was found to have illegally entered Indian waters west of Beypore off the coast of Kerala on May 5, 2024. Acting on the matter, the Indian Coast Guard launched a coordinated operation, deploying ships and aircraft to intercept and detain the vessel. The six Indian crew members, hailing from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, were taken into custody and the vessel was brought to Kochi for further investigations. According to the apprehended crew, they were not receiving salaries and were subjected to ill-treatment in Iran, prompting them to escape in the same boat they were employed on.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a notice advising people to avoid entering the Arabian Sea due to expected high tides through Sunday night. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information (INCOIS), the sea will witness a “swell of surge waves” from 11.30 am on Saturday to 11.30 pm on Sunday, resulting in wave heights of 0.5 to 1.5 meters. The BMC has urged fishermen to be cautious and has instructed civic staff, police, and beach security guards to prevent people from entering the sea during this period.
The recent extreme rainfall in Dubai has sparked concerns about the vulnerability of cities around the Arabian Sea to extreme weather events. As global warming continues to warm the ocean, experts are examining the potential impacts on weather patterns and exploring technologies like cloud seeding and geo-engineering as possible solutions.
