The fear of a tropical cyclone hitting the country’s coastal areas eased after weather officials said a depression in the Arabian Sea moving in a north-westerly direction was less dangerous than initially feared.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the possibility of the depression, which still persists 600km southeast of Karachi, turning into a tropical cyclone on Saturday or Sunday has decreased substantially because of a decline in the sea surface temperature and other weather conditions.

Because of this development, the department added, widespread rain with gusty winds along the Sindh coast was expected from Sunday to Tuesday and along the Balochistan coast from Monday to Wednesday.

Chief Meteorologist, Naeem Shah said that low temperature had diverted the cyclone from the coastal areas of Pakistan and that it was moving to the north-east instead.

The Met office has advised fishermen against going into deep waters.

Earlier, it had been reported that a strong weather system in the northwest part of Arabian Sea was gaining intensity and had nearly converted into a tropical cyclone.