Season’s First Cyclone 'Shakti' Forms Over Arabian Sea, IMD Warns Of Heavy Rain In Mumbai

Cyclone Shakti, the first cyclonic storm of the season over the Arabian Sea, has intensified and is expected to bring rough weather conditions along the Maharashtra coast, including Mumbai, in the coming days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD on Friday placed Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg on alert, warning of high winds and heavy rain between October 3 and 7. Wind speeds of 45-55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, are likely along the north Maharashtra coast between October 3 and 5. Fishermen have been strongly advised against venturing into the sea as very rough to high sea conditions are expected.

Heavy rain warning for Maharashtra

While the cyclone’s centre remains away from India’s coastline, its outer bands are expected to

bring heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Maharashtra. Interior districts, particularly 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. Thunderstorms and moderate rainfall are also forecast in Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada due to a depression over interior Odisha adding to the weather system.

The Maharashtra government has asked district administrations to activate disaster management systems, prepare evacuation plans for vulnerable areas, issue public advisories, and ensure safety during heavy rains. Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Pune, and Ratnagiri districts have been placed on a “yellow alert.”

Where Cyclone Shakti stands now

As of Friday morning, the IMD reported that Cyclone Shakti was centred about 270 km southwest of Naliya in Gujarat, 300 km west of Porbandar and 360 km south of Karachi in Pakistan. The storm was moving northwestwards at a speed of around 8 kmph.

The system is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Saturday before tracking west-southwestwards towards the central Arabian Sea by October 5. Although forecasters do not expect it to make landfall in India, they caution that its impact will be felt in the form of turbulent seas and heavy rainfall along coastal regions.

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.”

Warnings for sea conditions

According to the IMD, sea conditions will remain very rough to high over the northwest Arabian Sea, adjoining northeast and central Arabian Sea until October 3, and will turn high to very high between October 4 and 6. Rough to very rough seas are expected along and off the Gujarat-north Maharashtra and Pakistan coasts till October 5.

Recent heavy rains add to concern

The cyclone warning comes just days after Maharashtra was hit by intense rainfall, with Mumbai, Thane and Raigad placed on red alert last week. The IMD has already predicted above-normal rainfall for the state in October.

During a virtual press briefing earlier this week, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director-General of Meteorology, said that October is likely to see heightened rainfall activity, according to a report by Hindustan Times. With Cyclone Shakti now brewing in the Arabian Sea, authorities are preparing for more spells of heavy rain, particularly in coastal and interior districts.

Residents in coastal regions have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during peak rainfall hours, while those in flood-prone zones are being asked to follow evacuation orders if issued.

As Maharashtra braces for the first cyclone of the season, forecasters say the storm may not make landfall in India but will keep the Arabian Sea turbulent over the next few days, with Mumbai and surrounding coastal districts most at risk of rough weather.