Cyclone Shakti is stirring up the Arabian Sea as it edges closer to Maharashtra’s coastline, bringing the promise of relentless rain, fierce winds, and a restless sea that won’t let the region off easy for the next few days. With the first major storm of the season making its presence felt, Mumbai and the Konkan coast are on high alert, bracing for nature’s powerful display and urging everyone to prepare and stay safe.
As of Thursday morning, Shakti lay around 300 km west of Dwarka and 360 km west of Porbandar, gaining strength and likely to evolve into a severe cyclonic storm within 48 hours. Although it’s forecast to stay offshore without making a direct landfall, its outer bands bring heavy rains and unsettled weather to coastal Maharashtra.
Several districts, including Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg, are on high alert. Expect heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated patches, with wind speeds of 45-55 km/h, gusting up to 65 km/h, especially near the northern coast between October 3 and 5. Low-lying neighborhoods in Mumbai and other coastal areas should prepare for waterlogging and localized flooding, worsened by high tides.
Local disaster response teams have mobilized, clearing drains, securing vulnerable trees, and readying evacuation plans for the most vulnerable coastal communities. Authorities emphasize that while the cyclone may not hit land directly, its impact on daily life could be significant, disrupting transport, causing flooding, and challenging emergency services.
Fishermen have been urgently advised to stay ashore until conditions calm, as the Arabian Sea churns with very rough waves and dangerous currents. Residents along the coast are urged to stay indoors during heavy showers, limit travel, and closely monitor official advisories.
As Maharashtra braces itself, forecasters stress vigilance and preparedness, reminding everyone to stay safe and follow updates as the storm moves through the Arabian Sea, leaving its mark on the shores and skies of western India.
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