Cyclone Shakhti incoming? IMD warns of intensifying storm over Arabian Sea; Mumbai under orange, Konkan on red alert

Time of India

23-05-2025

A low-pressure system hovering over the east-central Arabian Sea may intensify into a depression within the next 36 hours, the
India Meteorological Department
(IMD) confirmed on Thursday. The weather department has issued red alerts for several coastal districts of Maharashtra and Goa, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall from Friday through the weekend.
As of 5:30 am on Thursday, the system remained positioned off the south Konkan-Goa coast and was being fuelled by an upper-air cyclonic circulation. Cloud formations over the area indicate 'intense to very intense convection,' according to the IMD, a sign of powerful vertical air movement that supports cyclone development.
'A low-pressure area lies over east-central Arabian Sea off south Konkan-Goa. It is likely to move nearly northwards and intensify further into a depression during next 36 hours. There is also possibility of its further intensification thereafter,' the IMD stated in its afternoon bulletin.
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No cyclone warning yet — but conditions are ripe
Although no official cyclone warning has been issued, IMD scientist Akhil Srivastava indicated that further strengthening of the system was possible.
'A warning of extremely heavy rain has been issued in Konkan Goa for the next three days. A red alert has been issued here and heavy to very heavy rains may occur in the adjoining areas of Central Maharashtra and West Coast,' Srivastava told ANI.
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He added that the system could 'intensify and move northwards' and may result in 'some more movement in the west coast.'
Should the depression escalate into a cyclonic storm, it will be named
Cyclone Shakthi
— a name proposed by Sri Lanka. "Shakthi" is a Tamil word meaning 'power.'
Mumbai drenched, red alerts issued further south
Mumbai has already seen a wet lead-up to the weekend. Pre-monsoon showers lashed the city and surrounding areas on Wednesday night. The IMD reported 27 mm of rainfall at Santacruz and 10 mm at Colaba by Thursday morning.
The showers also brought a sharp dip in temperatures. Santacruz recorded a minimum of 22.5°C — five degrees below normal — while daytime highs hovered around 32°C, about two degrees cooler than average.
This May has been exceptionally wet for the city. IMD data shows that both Colaba and Santacruz observatories have already logged over 100 mm of rainfall — nearly 700% above the month's average.
An orange alert is now in place for Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar, while Raigad and Ratnagiri districts are under a red alert for Friday.
Fishermen warned as stormy seas intensify
Fishermen have been advised against venturing out to sea, particularly along the western coast. The IMD noted dangerous conditions expected in the Arabian Sea over the coming days.
'Fishermen are advised not to venture along and off the Somalia coast and adjoining southwest Arabian Sea during May 22 to 27, over southwest and adjoining parts of west-central Arabian Sea on May 25 and 26,' the IMD said.
Forecasts also show continued rain across Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, and the Konkan region over the next week. Isolated 'extremely heavy' showers are likely over Konkan and Goa from May 22 to 24.
More weather systems form across India
The IMD is also monitoring the Bay of Bengal. A low-pressure system is expected to form over the west-central and north Bay of Bengal around May 27, with further development likely in the two days that follow.
The IMD reports scattered thunderstorms and strong convection over the Andaman Sea, north Bay of Bengal, and parts of eastern India.
Meanwhile, south and west India are expected to see widespread rainfall, thunder, lightning, and gusty winds over the next few days. Coastal Karnataka could receive isolated 'extremely heavy' rainfall on May 24.
In the northeast, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura are set for days of heavy rain, with similar warnings for Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Central states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha are also in for stormy weather.
Monsoon poised to arrive in Kerala
In its latest bulletin, the IMD said atmospheric and oceanic conditions are aligning for the southwest monsoon's arrival in Kerala within two to three days. The monsoon is then expected to spread across the southern Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, and further into the Bay of Bengal and Northeast India.
With the summer heat giving way to unpredictable skies and rising sea activity, authorities remain on alert. While a cyclone has yet to be confirmed, the week ahead could prove challenging for many parts of the country.