Mumbai: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a high alert for Maharashtra as Cyclone Shakhti gathers strength over the Arabian Sea, bringing the threat of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and dangerous sea conditions. Disaster management teams have been placed on standby, with evacuation measures already being readied for vulnerable coastal zones.
Districts including Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg have been put under high to moderate alert until October 7. According to IMD data, wind speeds along the northern Maharashtra coast have already reached 45–55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, with forecasters warning of further intensification.
Hazardous sea conditions are expected to continue until at least October 5, with warnings issued to fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea. Residents in low-lying and coastal areas are being cautioned against tidal surges and flooding risks.
The storm’s impact is not limited to the coast. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted across inland regions, with East Vidarbha and Marathwada bracing for intense showers. North Konkan’s low-lying areas may also face flooding.
Cyclone Shakhti, named by Sri Lanka, is projected to move west before curving southwest, intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm by Saturday morning. “Thereafter, it is likely to continue to move west-southwestwards and reach central parts of the north and adjoining central Arabian Sea by 5th October,” the IMD bulletin stated.
As of 8:30 pm IST on Friday, the cyclone was centered approximately 300 km west of Dwarka, 330 km south-southwest of Karachi, and 360 km west of Porbandar, moving west-northwest at nearly 8 kmph.
The IMD has also warned of very rough sea conditions along the Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts, extending to Pakistan’s coastline until Sunday, underscoring the potential for widespread disruption.
