The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an update late at night, stating that Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) Shakhti, located over the northwest Arabian Sea, is steadily moving west-southwest and is expected to reach the northwest Arabian Sea by the evening of Sunday.
Positioned approximately 320 km east-southeast of Ras Al Hadd in Oman, the storm is forecast to recurve eastwards starting October 6 and gradually weaken as it progresses further over the Arabian Sea.
The IMD had previously warned of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and rough sea conditions along Maharashtra’s coastline as Cyclone Shakhti intensified. Disaster management authorities have been directed to remain vigilant, with evacuation plans activated in low-lying coastal areas to ensure public safety.
The districts of Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg have been placed on high to moderate alert till Monday. Wind speeds ranging from 45–55 kmph, with gusts up to 65 kmph, have already been recorded along the northern Maharashtra coast, and conditions are expected to deteriorate further as the cyclone moves westward.
In response to the worsening weather, authorities have issued stern warnings to fishermen, prohibiting them from venturing into the sea due to hazardous conditions. Residents in vulnerable coastal areas have been advised to stay alert for potential tidal surges and localised flooding. The IMD has also cautioned that sea conditions along and off the Gujarat, north Maharashtra, and Pakistan coasts will remain rough to very rough through Sunday, posing risks to maritime activities and coastal infrastructure.
Cyclone Shakhti, named by Sri Lanka, initially tracked westward before shifting to a west-southwest trajectory. On Friday evening, the cyclone was located approximately 300 km west of Dwarka, 330 km south-southwest of Karachi, and 360 km west of Porbandar, moving at a speed of about 8 kmph.
The IMD anticipates that the storm will begin to lose intensity after Monday as it shifts eastward over the Arabian Sea. However, coastal communities have been urged to remain vigilant over the next few days due to persistent strong winds, high tides, and rough seas, which could continue to pose significant risks.
The IMD’s updates and the proactive measures by authorities underscore the need for heightened preparedness to mitigate the potential impacts of Cyclone Shakhti on Maharashtra’s coastal regions and beyond.
Also Read: Maharashtra braces as Cyclone Shakhti intensifies at sea
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