Cyclone Shakti, the first cyclonic storm of the post-monsoon season in the Arabian Sea, is churning up the sea, packing a wind speed of 100 kmph and gusting, officials said on Saturday.
Shakti, which has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, was moving further into the Arabian Sea and lay centred about 420 km away from Dwarka in Gujarat, the weather office said. Thunderstorms and rainfall are also forecast in central Maharashtra and Marathwada due to a depression over interior Odisha adding to the weather system.
It is likely to move west-southwestwards and reach the northwest and adjoining west-central Arabian Sea by Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. According to the weather deoartment, Cyclone Shakti will recurve and move east-northeastwards from Monday morning, weakening gradually.
Under the influence of the cyclonic storm, sea conditions are likely to be rough to very rough along and off the Gujarat-North Maharashtra coast and the Pakistan coast until Sunday.
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The weather office has warned fishermen not to venture into the northwest Arabian Sea, adjoining areas of the northeast Arabian Sea, central Arabian Sea and along and off the Gujarat-north Maharashtra coasts until Tuesday.
Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg have been reportedly placed on alert after it was reported that the outer bands are expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Maharashtra. Interior districts of the state, especially East Vidarbha and Marathwada, are likely to receive intense showers on October 3-4, which could trigger flooding in low-lying areas of North Konkan.