The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cyclone alert for Maharashtra after Cyclone Shakhti intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Arabian Sea, with thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds expected to continue over the next few days.
Issuing a five-day forecast, the IMD warned of rough to very rough sea conditions along the Gujarat-Maharashtra coastline, with squally winds of 45-55 kilometer per hour, gusting up to 65 kilometer per hour, expected until Tuesday.
Stronger winds, reaching 60-100 kilometer per hour, are likely tomorrow. Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the Northwest Arabian Sea due to hazardous conditions. The IMD also stated that Mumbai may only see sporadic spells of light rainfall till the 8th of this month.
A similar forecast has been issued for the Thane and Raigad districts as well. However, Palghar district is likely to receive heavy rainfall on Wednesday. The Maharashtra government has directed district administrations to activate disaster management protocols, monitor coastal and low-lying areas, and prepare evacuation plans if necessary.
The first cyclonic storm of the post-monsoon season in the Arabian Sea, Cyclone ‘Shakhti’, has intensified into a “severe” cyclonic storm, packing winds of 100 kmph and gusting higher, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.
The system was centred about 420 km off Dwarka in Gujarat and is expected to move west-southwestwards towards the northwest and adjoining west-central Arabian Sea by Sunday, before recurving east-northeastwards from Monday morning and weakening gradually.
Sea conditions are likely to remain rough to very rough along the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and the Pakistan coast until Sunday, the IMD said.
The IMD has issued a cyclone ‘Shakhti’ warning for parts of Maharashtra, covering Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, with strong winds forecast between October 3 and 7.
However, IMD scientist Sushma Nair clarified on Saturday that “no threat of cyclone to the Maharashtra coast” exists, and only light to moderate rainfall is expected in Mumbai and adjoining areas during the week.
As precautionary measures, the Maharashtra government has directed district administrations to activate disaster management systems, prepare evacuation plans, issue advisories against sea travel, and ensure safety measures during heavy rains.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea as wind speeds of 45-55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, are likely along the north Maharashtra coast until October 5.
Situation in Gujarat
Officials said Gujarat’s coastal districts may see heavy rainfall as the storm shifts direction.
Abhimanyu Chauhan of IMD Ahmedabad told reporters on Saturday: “Cyclone Shakthi will recurve on October 6 morning moving towards East-Northeast direction.
However, there is no need to panic as the impact over Gujarat will be minimal. On October 8, there will be heavy rainfall in some parts of Gujarat – Dwarka, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Daman, and Dadra Nagar Haveli.”