Cyclone Asna Triggers Red Alert in Karnataka; Heavy Rains Forecasted for Gujarat
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for coastal Karnataka as Cyclone Asna approaches. This rare storm, which formed over the Saurashtra-Kutch region of Gujarat, is now heading towards Oman.
Unusual August Cyclone
Cyclone Asna is an unusual phenomenon for this time of year. It is the first cyclone to develop in the Arabian Sea in August since 1976. The storm moved past Gujarat on Friday evening, sparing the state from significant damage. It formed over the Kutch coast before moving into the Arabian Sea.
Impact on Gujarat
In Gujarat, heavy rainfall over the past few days has caused severe flooding. The state has reported 26 deaths in the last four days due to the rain. Over 18,000 people have been evacuated, and about 1,200 have been rescued from flood-affected areas.
Storm’s Path
Cyclone Asna is currently advancing west-northwest, moving away from the Indian coast. It was last located about 190 kilometers west-northwest of Bhuj, Gujarat, according to the IMD. The storm’s wind speeds range between 63 and 87 km/h.
Rainfall in Gujarat
Despite a decrease in rainfall by Friday morning, several towns and villages in Gujarat remain waterlogged due to overflowing rivers. The State Emergency Operations Centre reported that only a few areas received 15 mm to 26 mm of rain on Friday, while others experienced dry conditions or light showers.
