Cyclone likely to bring heavy rainfall in Gujarat, Maharashtra
A heavy rainfall warning has been issued in parts of Gujarat in the next few days due to a depression in the Arabian Sea which is likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm.
A cyclone that is likely in the Arabian Sea some 300 kilometres off the country's west coast will be closest to Gujarat's Saurashtra and Kutch on June 13-14.
Shubhangi Bhute, a scientist with the India Metrological Department (IMD) in Mumbai, told India Today TV that the cyclone will be closest to Gujarat's Saurashtra and Kutch on June 13-14. "But, it will still be many kilometres away from land," said Shubhangi Bhute.
A heavy rainfall warning has been issued in parts of Gujarat in the next few days due to a depression in the Arabian Sea which is likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm, the MeT said.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea in the next few days and ports have been asked to flag the danger signal.
The depression over south-east, adjoining Lakshadweep and east-central Arabian Sea moved northwards with a speed of about 31 kmph on Monday.
It lay centered at 8.30 am on Monday near latitude 12.5N and longitude 71.0E over east-central and adjoining south-east Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area, about 240 km northwest of Aminidivi (Lakshadweep), 760 km south-southwest of Mumbai (Maharashtra) and 930 km south-southeast of Veraval (Gujarat), a release of the MeT department said.
It is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next six hours, into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours and into a severe cyclonic storm thereafter. It is likely to move north-northwestwards during next 72 hours, it said.
"It is very likely to cause an adverse impact in terms of wind and rainfall over Saurashtra and Kutch, mainly on June 13 and 14," the release said.
Gujarat is at present reeling under severe heat wave as the maximum temperature in major cities, including Ahmedabad, has been over 43 degrees Celsius since last week of May.
Meanwhile, the IMD said the cyclone developing off the western coast in Arabian Sea is unlikely to have much impact in Maharashtra.
Earlier, a Maharashtra government advisory stated that cyclone is likely in the Arabian Sea some 300 kilometres off the country's west coast between June 11-12.
The cyclone, while not hitting Maharashtra, is likely to result in gusty winds and a turbulent sea, Meteorological Department officials said, adding that fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea.
Officials said the monsoon is expected to arrive in Konkan and Mumbai regions during this period.
(With PTI inputs)