Asna Cyclone Live Tracking: Know Current Location, Speed, Path, Landfall And Latest News Updates

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted the formation of a cyclone over the north Arabian Sea, off the Gujarat coast, on Friday, August 30. In its latest update, IMD reported that the deep depression over Saurashtra, the Arabian Sea, and Pakistan moved west-southwest at a speed of 5 kmph.

It is expected to enter the northeast Arabian Sea off the Kachchh coast and nearby areas of the North Arabian Sea and Pakistan, intensifying into a Cyclonic Storm within the next 6 hours.

The storm is predicted to continue moving west-northwest over the northeast Arabian Sea, away from the Indian coast, over the next two days.

The meteorological department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations on August 30 and along coastal districts on August 31. Wind speeds of up to 85 kmph are expected along and off the Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts until August 31. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea along these coasts until Saturday, August 31.

Cyclone Asna Live Tracker: Know Current Location, Speed, Path, Landfall And Latest News Updates

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), cyclonic storms forming in August over the Arabian Sea are rare. Over the past 132 years, 28 such systems have developed in the Bay of Bengal, while the Arabian Sea has seen fewer occurrences.

If Cyclone Asna forms, it will be only the fourth August cyclone in the Arabian Sea since 1944, following those in 1944, 1964, and 1976. Each of these cyclones initially formed over land before intensifying into storms upon reaching the sea. The 1976 cyclone originated in Odisha, moved west-northwest into the Arabian Sea, made a looping path, and weakened near the Oman coast. The 1944 cyclone also intensified after entering the Arabian Sea, while the 1964 storm formed near the South Gujarat coast and weakened near the coastline.

This current system is notable for its formation over the Bay of Bengal and its extensive cross-country movement. Despite its expected intensification, Cyclone Asna is not expected to directly impact the Indian coast, as it will continue moving away from land.

Trajectory of the System

IMD outlined Cyclone Asna's progression: it started as a low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal and Bangladesh on August 16, then moved across Bangladesh, West Bengal, and Jharkhand. By August 24, it developed into a well-marked low-pressure area over southeast Uttar Pradesh and northeast Madhya Pradesh. It intensified into a depression over northwest Madhya Pradesh on August 25, a deep depression over East Rajasthan on August 26, and affected Gujarat on August 29.

As Cyclone Asna strengthens, it is expected to continue moving west-southwest over the northeast Arabian Sea, away from the Indian coast, for the next two days.

The name 'Asna' was designated by Pakistan as part of the regional protocol for naming tropical cyclones.