A deep depression formed over the Arabian Sea has turned into Cyclone ‘Asana’. The cyclone is moving westwards. It will hit the coast of India’s western state of Gujarat in the next 24 hours, the country’s Central Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its latest forecast.
Cyclone ‘Asna’ is currently located 190 km west-northwest of Bhuj region of Gujarat, India and 200 km southeast of Karachi, the IMD said. At present ‘Asana’ is moving at a speed of 14 km per hour.
Meanwhile, under the influence of ‘Asana’, heavy rains have started in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, Surat, Porbandar, Morbi, Swarka and Kutch districts since last Wednesday night. Floods have occurred in many areas of these districts due to heavy rains.
Cyclone ‘Asana’ named by Pakistan is not a cyclone. Such a cyclone has been seen only four times in the last 80 years. Depressions usually form over the ocean. Later it strengthened into a deep depression and cyclone and made landfall. But the reverse is the case with Asana. A low pressure area forms over the land and from this low pressure it turns into a cyclone in the ocean. Heavy rain has started on the west coast of the country since Friday along with gusty winds. The India Meteorological Department has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rain in seven districts of the state.
Heavy rains have caused flooding in Gujarat for the past four days. Due to which the death toll is 36 so far. It is feared that it may increase further. The concern of the administration is increasing.
According to official sources, more than 1800 people have already been evacuated. The administration has rescued about 1200 people from the flood affected areas. Baroda in Gujarat was the worst hit. The water level of Vishwamitri river has risen due to excessive rain. Many low-lying areas are still under water.