Tropical depression over Arabian Sea; India alert

A tropical depression has formed over the east central Arabian Sea, approximately 1,230km from Oman’s Masirah Island and 690km from Mumbai.

As the storm hurtles towards Oman’s coastline, the weather system is expected to move northwest over the next 24 hours, with the UAE’s National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) stating the system is expected to intensify over this period, turning into a ‘deep depression’ in the coming hours.

In a complete statement, the NCMS further said: “Latest satellite imagery and observations indicate that a depression has formed about 1,230km southeast of Masirah Island, Oman.

“It would move north-northwestwards and intensify further into a deep depression during the next 24 hours.”

The NCMS added it was watching this development and will provide regular updates whether the UAE would be affected.

Over the past 48 hours, the UAE has experienced sporadic hail and thunderstorms, with more showers expected on Sunday and Monday.

Meanwhile, Oman’s Met office has issued advisories of hail and thunderstorms across the country in the next 24 hours, as it also monitors the path of the depression.

However, on June 5, the Oman Met office has stated the weather system does not pose a threat to the country.

Across the sea in India, Skymet Weather has issued a statement on the depression, calling it ‘Ashobaa’, stating: “The depression over east-central Arabian Sea has further intensified into deep depression and is rapidly gaining strength.

“Moreover, the cloud configuration is showing all the features of a tropical cyclone… we can expect the weather system to intensify into a tropical storm shortly. The cyclonic storm will be named ‘Ashobaa’.”

The Indian Met Department or IMD has also issued an alert for the country’s west coastline, stating the depression was ‘about 690km southwest of Mumbai, 740km south-southwest of Veraval’.

It added: “Strong winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph would prevail along and off Maharashtra, Konkan and Goa coasts during next 48 hours. Sea condition would be rough along and off Maharashtra, Konkan and Goa coasts during the same period.

“Fishermen along and off Maharashtra, Konkan and Goa coasts are advised not to venture into the sea during next 48 hours.”

Similarly, Pakistan’s Met Office issued a statement on Sunday, saying: “In Arabian Sea, the area of intense convection has concentrated into a well-marked low pressure area in last 24 hours and now lies at a distance of about 1,200km south-southeast of Karachi.

“The potential of development of depression in next 24 hours and a deep depression in next 48 hours, after entering in North Arabian Sea, is very high.”

It added: “The sea conditions along Sindh-Makran coast are likely to remain rough to very rough associated with strong gusty winds from Tuesday afternoon to Friday. Cyclone Warning Centre (Karachi) of Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned the fishermen of Sindh and Balochistan as fishermen of Sindh are advised not to venture in open sea from Tuesday afternoon to Thursday.

“Fishermen of Balochistan are advised not to venture in open sea from Wednesday to Friday.”

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.