The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a warning about a significant weather event that is set to impact the southwestern Arabian Sea. The alert, labeled “Alert-VIII,” reveals that an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS) named “Tej” has undergone a transformation, weakening into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) as it moved northwestward over the past 12 hours.
As of the latest update on October 23, 2023, “Tej” is currently positioned at approximately Latitude 15.5 °N and Longitude 52.1 °E, situated about 70 kilometers south of Al Ghaydah in Yemen, 270 kilometers southwest of Salalah in Oman, and a considerable 1500 kilometers southwest of Gwadar in Pakistan. The VSCS “Tej” is characterized by maximum sustained surface winds ranging from 130 to 140 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching up to 160 kilometers per hour. Sea conditions in the affected area are reported as high to very high, with a maximum wave height of 30 feet observed around the center of the storm.
The forecast indicates that “Tej” is expected to continue its northwestward trajectory, with a forecasted landfall on the coast of Yemen near Al Ghaydah within the next few hours. As it makes landfall, the storm is anticipated to carry winds with speeds of 120 to 130 kilometers per hour, gusting up to 140 kilometers per hour.
This meteorological development demands heightened vigilance and preparedness in the affected regions, as the impact of “Tej” could extend beyond Yemen into neighboring areas. Authorities are advised to take immediate steps to safeguard the well-being of their populations and mitigate potential damage caused by the approaching cyclonic storm.