Cyclone Shakti: IMD Issues Red Alert In Several Regions In Maharashtra And Goa; Warns Heavy To Very Heavy Rainfall

Mumbai: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a well-marked low-pressure area in the East Central Arabian Sea, off the south Konkan coast, anticipated to move northward and strengthen into a depression within 24 hours. Red alerts have been issued for several districts in Maharashtra and Goa, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning for the upcoming weekend.

As of Thursday morning, the cyclonic system was intensifying due to upper-air circulation, signaling strong vertical air movement conducive to cyclone formation. Although IMD has not yet issued a cyclone warning, further strengthening of the system is possible, and a warning for extremely heavy rain has been declared in Konkan-Goa for the next three days, with potential impacts extending to Central Maharashtra and the West Coast.

Mumbai has experienced thunderstorms and significant rainfall in the past week, with reports of 27 mm at Santacruz and 10 mm at Colaba. Furthermore, isolated intense rainfall with gusty winds of 50-60 km/h is expected in North Konkan districts, prompting IMD to issue an orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar, while red alerts are in place for Raigad and Ratnagiri.

Fishermen are advised to avoid venturing into the sea, especially along the western coast, due to dangerous conditions predicted in the Arabian Sea for the coming days. Continued rainfall is expected across other parts of Gujarat, Karnataka, and Kerala as well.

With the onset of the south-western monsoon, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea. A red alert was issued for the coastlines of Maharashtra and Goa, warning travelers about expected heavy rainfall this weekend. The low-pressure cyclonic formation off the Konkan-Goa coast is projected to cause significant to extremely intense rainfall, with forecasts of heavy showers and thunderstorms for various parts of India.

While no official cyclone warning has been announced yet, the Konkan-Goa area is on red alert, with the IMD advising preparedness for wind gusts of up to 65 km/h, which could disrupt communication and power lines, endangering agriculture and livestock. The low-pressure zones in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal may foster conditions for cyclonic development, likely intensifying after 72 hours.

Regions near the Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra border, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Coastal Karnataka are under an orange alert. Meanwhile, Bengaluru faced heavy rainfall that caused waterlogging issues, while Rajasthan and Gujarat experienced heat wave-like conditions.

Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are anticipated in several regions, including Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of the north-east, among others.