• Will Cyclone ‘Asna’ worsen situation? What's its current location? Know deets

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    Will Cyclone ‘Asna’ worsen situation? What's its current location? Know deets
    The cyclone, which has been causing significant weather disturbances, is expected to move west-northwest over the northeast Arabian Sea...

    Digital Desk: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning on Saturday regarding Cyclone ‘Asna’, a deep depression over the Arabian Sea that has brought heavy rain to Gujarat. The cyclone, which has been causing significant weather disturbances, is expected to move west-northwest over the northeast Arabian Sea, moving away from the Indian coast within the next 24 hours.

    Current Location of Cyclone ‘Asna’

    As of 5:30 am on August 31, Cyclone ‘Asna’ was located approximately 310 km west of Naliya in Gujarat and 200 km southwest of Karachi, Pakistan. The storm is anticipated to continue its west-northwest trajectory over the northeast and northwest Arabian Sea before shifting west-southwestward over the following 24 hours.

    Impact on Gujarat

    Cyclone Asna, which formed off the coast of Kutch in Gujarat, has moved into the Arabian Sea without causing any major damage to the region. However, the IMD has issued several warnings:

    Squally Winds: Winds with speeds ranging from 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, are expected along the Saurashtra and Kachchh coasts on August 31 and September 1.

    Sea Conditions: Rough to very rough sea conditions are likely to persist along the Gujarat and adjoining north Maharashtra coasts until the evening of August 31.

    Fishermen Warning: Fishermen are advised against venturing into the Northeast and adjoining East-central Arabian Sea, as well as along and off the Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts, until August 31st.

    Heavy Rainfall in Kachchh

    Kachchh has experienced heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours. "Gujarat has recorded 882 mm of rainfall since June 1, which is 50 percent more than normal," said IMD scientist Ramashray Yadav. The Saurashtra and Kachchh regions have also recorded higher-than-normal rainfall, according to Yadav. Additionally, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar are expected to see light to moderate rainfall on Saturday.

    Rescue operations underway

    In Jamnagar, flooding has led to the closure of the road connecting Padana Patiya to Changa Patiya, and a portion of a bridge over Sir PN Road has been washed away, disrupting traffic. In response to the flood situation, six columns of the Indian Army have been mobilized to conduct rescue operations in the worst-affected areas. A team of 350 sanitation workers from Surat has also been deployed to Vadodara to assist with the cleanup efforts.