Gujarat Floods: Could Cyclone ‘Asna’ Intensify The Crisis? What Is Its Current Location?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning on Saturday regarding Cyclone ‘Asna,’ a deep depression over the Arabian Sea causing heavy rainfall in Gujarat. The cyclone is anticipated to drift 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 (Saturday), Cyclone ‘Asna’ was positioned about 310 km west of Naliya (Gujarat) and 200 km southwest of Karachi (Pakistan). The storm is expected to continue its west-northwest movement over the northeast and northwest Arabian Sea, eventually shifting west-southwestward in the next 24 hours.

Impact of Cyclone ‘Asna’ on Gujarat

Cyclone ‘Asna,’ which formed off the Kutch coast in Gujarat, has moved into the Arabian Sea without causing major impacts in the region. However, the IMD has issued the following warnings:

• Squally Winds: Winds with speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, are expected along the Saurashtra and Kachchh coasts on August 31 and September 1.
• Rough Sea Conditions: Rough to very rough sea conditions are likely along the Gujarat and adjacent north Maharashtra coasts until the evening of August 31.
• Fishing Advisory: Fishermen are advised against venturing into the northeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea, and along and off the Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts, until August 31.

Rainfall and Flooding

Kachchh has experienced very heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours. Since June 1, Gujarat has recorded 882 mm of rainfall, which is 50 percent above the normal level, according to IMD scientist Ramashray Yadav. Saurashtra and Kachchh have also seen higher-than-normal rainfall. Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar are expected to have light to moderate rainfall on Saturday.

Rescue Efforts

In Jamnagar, flooding has closed the road connecting Padana Patiya to Changa Patiya, and a small bridge over Sir PN Road has been washed away, disrupting traffic. In response to the flooding, six Indian Army columns are conducting rescue operations in the hardest-hit areas. Additionally, a team of 350 sanitation workers from Surat has arrived in Vadodara to assist with cleanup efforts.