city received below-normal rainfall. In 2009 the country received 30% below normal rainfall with the exception of Sindh, including Karachi, which received above normal monsoon rains. Following is the annual monsoon rainfall for the last few years based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department. Tropical cyclones and tropical storms Though cyclones are rare in the Arabian sea which is a part of North Indian Ocean, cyclones that form in the Arabian sea may move in five possible tracks; towards Indian Gujrat, towards Badin/Tharparkar coast, towards Karachi/Thatta coast, towards Gwadar coast or towards Oman Coast. Cyclones in the Arabian sea form mostly from mid-May to mid-July and then in the month of October. Monsoon season plays a vital role for the formation of cyclones in this basin. Tropical storms that hit Pakistan are mostly remnants by the time they reach Pakistan or make landfall in south eastern Sindh, which is not very populated. They rarely move towards the Balochistan coast. Due to "Climate Change", now the frequency of Tropical Cyclones formation in the Arabian Sea has been increased and hence threats of landfall towards Karachi has also been increased. List of tropical cyclones in Pakistan Each year before the onset of monsoon (15 May to 15 July) and also after its withdrawal (15 September to 15 November), there is always a distinct possibility of the cyclonic storm to develop in the north Arabian Sea. There is a 50 percent chance of cyclones to turn towards the Indian state of Gujarat, 20 percent chance of moving towards the Oman/Gulf and thirty percent chance of moving towards the Pakistani coast. There is one tropical cyclone warning centre (TCWC) operational in Pakistan. It is in Karachi, as in operated by the Pakistan Meteorological Department. It monitors different systems that emerge in the Arabian Sea, and issues appropriate advisories, alerts, and warnings. During the last 100 years, a number of cyclonic storms have struck Pakistan's coastal areas. The years involved were 1895, 1902, 1907, 1944, 1948, 1964, 1985, 1999, 2007 and 2010. See also 2009 Karachi floods Climate of Pakistan Climate of Sindh Demographics of Karachi History of Karachi List of extreme weather records in Pakistan List of most populous metropolitan areas in Pakistan Pakistan Meteorological Department References External links Pakistan Meteorological Department Climate Data of Karachi Official site: City District Government of Karachi UN World Weather Service Environment of Karachi Karachi Karachi Geography