Cyclone Asna threatens Gujarat after days of heavy rain, 26 dead and thousands displaced

AHMEDABAD: Cyclone Asna, which has formed in the Arabian Sea, is feared to cause further devastation in Gujarat, a state already reeling from heavy rains triggered by a low-pressure system. The relentless downpours over the past few days have left several areas submerged, claiming 26 lives and displacing 18,000 people. Rescue operations have so far saved 1,200 individuals but rivers across the region continue to overflow, raising concerns of further flooding.

As Cyclone Asna approaches the coast, Gujarat is on high alert. The cyclone has already made landfall, with Jamnagar reporting seven fatalities and significant damage. In addition to the loss of human life, 514 cattle have perished in the floods. The power supply has been disrupted in the Saurashtra and Kutch regions, where cleanup efforts have commenced in areas where flood waters have receded.

The Central Meteorological Department has issued rain warnings and advisories for several states, including Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. A red alert has been declared for the coastal areas of Karnataka, as heavy rainfall is expected to continue.

Cyclone Asna is notable as the fourth cyclone to form in the Arabian Sea in August since 1944, with previous occurrences in 1944, 1964 and 1976.

7 deaths in Andhra Pradesh

Meanwhile, in Andhra Pradesh, seven people have lost their lives due to heavy rains. The victims died in a landslide in Vijayawada. In response, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased.