The first cyclonic storm of the post-monsoon season in the Arabian Sea, Cyclone ‘Shakhti’, has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, packing winds of 100 kmph and gusting higher, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.
The IMD has issued a cyclone ‘Shakhti’ warning for parts of Maharashtra, covering Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, with strong winds forecast between October 3 and 7.
While the Arabian Sea usually sees fewer cyclones than the Bay of Bengal, recent storms have proven exceptions. Cyclone Tauktae in 2021 and Cyclone Biparjoy in 2023 caused significant disruptions along India’s western coast, highlighting the potential strength of storms in this region.
Notably, this cyclone has been named Shakhti, a name suggested by Sri Lanka as per the convention followed by the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones.
The Maharashtra government and IMD have issued an alert regarding the arrival of the Shakti Chakkari cyclone in Badhwar Park, located in the Colaba area of Mumbai.
Fishermen of that area have been directed not to venture into the sea for fishing. This has resulted in the loss of employment for local fishermen. The fisheries department too issued a circular. “The government has alerted us, and therefore, we have stopped fishing. It’s been 10-15 days since all fishermen are at their homes. We request the government to provide compensation for the damages,” says Dhanesh Gajanan, a local fisherman.
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