Cyclone Maha to bring heavy rainfall in Gujarat next week
Cyclone Maha is "very likely" to intensify as it advances towards the east-central Arabian Sea over the next 48 hours, the India Meteorological Department said in a Saturday morning notification. According to IMD, the cyclone, which formed in the Arabian Sea on October 31, is likely to worsen weather conditions in south Gujarat and north Maharashtra. Here are more details.
Cyclone Maha to proceed west-northwestwards; to recurve towards Gujarat
Cyclone Maha moved further west-northwestwards in the past six hours, with speed reaching 13 kmph, the IMD notification stated. The cyclone will continue to move west-northwestwards till November 4 and recurve east-northeastwards towards south Gujarat coast thereafter. As of 5:30 am on Saturday, the cyclone was centered on 550 km south-southwest of Veraval in Gujarat, and 570 km west-northwest of Goa at 16.3°N, 68.5°E.
Cyclone 'very likely' to intensify into 'Very Severe Cyclonic Storm'
The notification stated, "It is very likely to intensify into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm over the east-central Arabian Sea during the next 48 hours. However, after the recurvature, it is very likely to weaken gradually while moving east-northeastwards towards the south Gujarat coast."
Wind speeds to increase over east-central Arabian Sea
Gale winds reaching speed 90-100 kmph prevail over the east-central Arabian Sea, however, wind speeds will increase, gusting 135-150 kmph by Monday morning. By Tuesday morning, winds will reach speed of 155-165 kmph to 180 kmph over the east-central, west-central and northeast Arabian Sea. Off Maharashtra's coast, squally winds reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph are likely for the next 24 hours.
Heavy rainfall in Gujarat's Saurashtra region from Nov 6-8
Meanwhile, in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, the IMD predicts heavy rainfall from November 6-8, along with scattered rainfall over other regions during the same period. Sea conditions will be high over the east-central Arabian Sea, becoming "phenomenal" from November 4-6. Further, the sea condition will be high to phenomenal over west-central and adjoining the northeast Arabian Sea from November 3-6.
Fishermen advised against venturing into sea along Maharashtra coast
Notably, the IMD has advised fishermen to not venture into the sea along Maharashtra coast for the next 24 hours. Further, the IMD warned against venturing into the east-central Arabian Sea till November 7, and into the west-central and the northeast Arabian Sea from November 3-7.
