Mumbai: Cyclone Shakti, formed in the Arabian Sea, has prompted the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue storm alerts for several coastal districts of Maharashtra. The cyclone developed from a low-pressure zone near Gujarat’s Kutch district and received its name from Sri Lanka.
The IMD forecast wind speeds of 45–55 kmph, with gusts crossing 65 kmph in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Rough seas will continue until October 5. The storm will weaken gradually from October 6 as it shifts northeast.
Rain and flooding on east coast
While the west braces for the cyclone, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha face heavy rain and floods caused by a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal. In Andhra Pradesh, four people died in rain-related incidents. In Odisha’s Gajapati district, two more people lost their lives in a landslide.
Authorities step up measures
Authorities on both coasts have increased rescue efforts and advised citizens to stay alert. The IMD noted that Cyclone Shakti is the first post-monsoon system over the Arabian Sea this year, highlighting the region’s active weather patterns.
