A cyclone is now building over Gujarat’s Saurashtra-Kutch area, making this an unusual weather phenomenon. Historically, only three cyclones have formed over the Arabian Sea in August. As per PTI, an IMD meteorologist quoted, “Development of cyclonic storms in the month of August over the Arabian Sea is a rare activity.”
According to IMD, the cyclone is likely to emerge over the Arabian Sea on August 30 and proceed towards the coast of Oman. According to the forecast service, the deep depression over Saurashtra and Kutch is expected to move west-southwest, emerge over the northeast Arabian Sea off Kutch and the bordering Pakistan shores, and build into a cyclonic storm on Friday.
In a statement on August 29, the IMD quoted, “DD over Kachchh & adjoining areas of Northeast Arabian Sea and Pakistan,about 90 km west-northwest of Bhuj (Gujarat). To move westward, emerge into NortheastArabian Sea and intensify into a Cyclonic Storm on 30th Aug. It would continue to move nearly west-southwest over Northeast Arabian Sea away from Indian coast in next 2 days.”
Once the cyclone strengthens into a cyclonic storm, it will be known as Cyclone Asna, as suggested by Pakistan. According to the IMD, this will be the first cyclonic storm to form over the Arabian Sea in August since 1976.