ISLAMABAD, 28 May — Authorities strongly advised fishermen yesterday to return to port due to a cyclone that has threatened the west coast of India and southern Sindh for several days, even though it was weakening.

“Fishermen of the Sindh and eastern coast of Balochistan are strictly advised to cease their fishing activities immediately for the next 48 hours,” an update late yesterday from the Pakistan Meteorological Department said.

It told authorities to ensure that fishermen still on the open sea return to their base in the next 12 hours. It said the storm could hit its southern Sindh province and fishermen were advised not to venture too far out into the sea for the next two days. Wind speeds were between 80 and 100 km per hour. It said the cyclone, which had been almost stationary for 12 hours, was likely to drift in a northerly direction over the next 24 hours.

“And after that it is likely to recurve in a northeasterly direction toward the Sindh coast,” it said.

“It’s still centered at around 700 km off Karachi and 550 km south-southwest of Keti Bander and is likely to continue to move in a northerly direction.”

An official in the Sindh provincial government said a contingency plan had been prepared in case the cyclone hit the coastal belt in Sindh and about 400 people had been evacuated as a precaution.

The cyclone has reportedly weakened but Karachi and several areas of interior Sindh falls in its path. Authorities had recalled some 5,000 fishing boats to harbor, warning them that the cyclone, despite losing intensity, still poses danger. In Thatta, a small town, some 120 kilometers from the  Indian Rann of Kutch area, has already been hit by tidal waves.

Over a dozen villages in Jati were inundated by sea water. The district administration moved nearly 100,000 people living in the periphery to safer places.

Pakistan Navy ships have been asked to remain alert in Kemari and Port Qasim. Warning signals have been hoisted for local and foreign ships approaching Karachi. The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Organization (SUPARCO), a department working under the federal administration, expects the storm to hit Karachi tonight or Tuesday. In Karachi, several thousand people have already moved from their houses in Clifton and nearby Defense Society localities to places in the center of the city.

Jati and Keti Bandar, situated between Thatta and Badin, bore the brunt of a cyclone a couple of years back. Property worth millions of rupees were damaged and over 5,000 people went missing.