Cyclone ‘Shakhti’, forms over Arabian Sea

PUNE: The season’s first cyclonic storm over the Arabian Sea intensified into ‘Cyclone Shakhti’ on Friday, stated the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The system, currently centred about 250km west-southwest of Dwarka, is expected to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by Saturday. While forecasters said, it is unlikely to make a significant impact on Indian landmass, sea conditions are expected to be rough over the weekend. As of 11.30am on Friday, Cyclone Shakhti lay over the northeast Arabian Sea near latitude 21.7°N and longitude 66.8°E, around 270km southwest of Naliya, 300km west of Porbandar and 360km south of Karachi in Pakistan. The system was moving northwestwards at a speed of 8kmph and will later track west-southwestwards towards the central Arabian Sea, said IMD. It is likely to reach central parts of north and adjoining central Arabian Sea by Oct 5. “Though the system will intensify into a severe cyclone, it will weaken considerably before nearing Gujarat’s coastline. Rainfall is expected in parts of Gujarat, but no major impact is anticipated in India,” said a weather blogger from Vagaries of Weather. Independent weather forecaster Abhijit Modak also said, “The storm’s remnants may bring some rain to Saurashtra and Kutch.” An IMD official confirmed that the storm’s trajectory is away from the Indian landmass. “The movement is west-northwestwards initially and then west-southwestwards. The system won’t directly impact land but will affect sea conditions. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea,” the official said. According to IMD, sea conditions were very rough to high over the northwest Arabian Sea, adjoining northeast and central Arabian Sea till the afternoon of Oct 3 and will turn high to very high between Oct 4-6. Rough to very rough sea conditions are expected along and off the Gujarat-north Maharashtra and Pakistan coasts till Oct 5. From Oct 3-6, fishermen have been advised to not venture into northwest Arabian Sea, adjoining northeast Arabian Sea, central Arabian Sea, and along/off Gujarat-north Maharashtra coasts. More rain in MaharashtraMeanwhile, light to moderate rain and thunderstorms are likely at most places in Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada on Oct 3-4, influenced by a depression over interior Odisha, added IMD.