Tropical cyclones and tornadoes in Pakistan
Encyclopedia
The tropical cyclones and tornadoes in Pakistan include the deadliest cyclone to hit the country and the deadliest tornado to struck the country. Pakistan lies in the temperate zone. The climate is generally arid, characterized by hot summers and cool or cold winters, and there are wide variations between extremes of temperature. The upper parts of Pakistan sometimes get rain from the Western Disturbance
almost every month and from June till September almost whole country is lashed by South West Monsoon
rain. Pakistan is a country where extreme weather events are not a yearly event therefore tornadoes are highly uncommon in the country but cyclones are not uncommon.
and the Gulf of Oman in the extreme south western part of the country where Gwadar
is the main port city. Though cyclones are rare in the Arabian sea which is a part of North indian ocean, cyclones that form in this sea mostly move towards Indian state of Gujarat rather than Pakistan. Cyclones in the Arabian sea form mostly from May till June and then from September till October, monsoon
season plays a vital role for the formation of cyclone in this basin. Tropical storms that hit Pakistan are mostly remnants by the time reach pakistan or make landfall in south eastern Sindh
which is not very much populated they rarely move towards the Balochistan
coast.
Western Disturbance
Western Disturbance is the term used in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal to describe an extratropical storm originating in the Mediterranean, that brings sudden winter rain and snow to the northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent. This is a non-monsoonal precipitation pattern driven by...
almost every month and from June till September almost whole country is lashed by South West Monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
rain. Pakistan is a country where extreme weather events are not a yearly event therefore tornadoes are highly uncommon in the country but cyclones are not uncommon.
History of Cyclones in Pakistan
Pakistan has a 1,046-kilometre (650 mi) coastline along the Arabian SeaArabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
and the Gulf of Oman in the extreme south western part of the country where Gwadar
Gwadar
Gwadar also known as Godar is a developing port city on the southwestern Arabian Sea coast of Pakistan. It is the district headquarters of Gwadar District in Balochistan province and has a population of approximately 50,000.Gwadar is strategically located at the apex of the Arabian Sea and at the...
is the main port city. Though cyclones are rare in the Arabian sea which is a part of North indian ocean, cyclones that form in this sea mostly move towards Indian state of Gujarat rather than Pakistan. Cyclones in the Arabian sea form mostly from May till June and then from September till October, monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
season plays a vital role for the formation of cyclone in this basin. Tropical storms that hit Pakistan are mostly remnants by the time reach pakistan or make landfall in south eastern Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
which is not very much populated they rarely move towards the Balochistan
Balochistan
Balochistan or Baluchistan is a region which covers parts of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. It can also refer to one of several modern and historical territories within that region:...
coast.
See also
- Climate of PakistanClimate of PakistanPakistan lies in the temperate zone. The climate is generally varied throughout the country, characterized by hot summers and cool or cold winters. The upper parts of Pakistan usually receive precipitation from the Western Disturbance...
- Tropical cyclones in the Arabian seaTropical cyclones in the Arabian seaThe Arabian sea is abbreviated ARB by the India Meteorological Department , since the official Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in this basin is the IMD. The Arabian sea is located in the north of the Indian Ocean, which is the third largest ocean in the World.the Indian Ocean is the...
- Drought in PakistanDrought in PakistanDrought in Pakistan has become a frequent phenomenon in the country. The drought of 1998-2002 is considered worst in 50 years. According to a report issued by the Economic Survey of Pakistan, the drought is one of the factors responsible for poor growth performance. Balochistan especially the...
- List of floods in Pakistan
- List of extreme weather records in Pakistan
- List of Asian tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of wettest tropical cyclones by country