BREAKING: Cyclone Forms Over Arabian Sea As Gujarat Recovers From Heavy Rain

Gujarat Floods: The western coast of India is preparing for severe weather conditions as a deep depression over the Arabian Sea near the Gujarat coast is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm by Friday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). 

As of Thursday, the deep depression has been moving slowly westwards at approximately three kilometers per hour. By noon, it was concentrated near Saurashtra and Kutch. The IMD's forecast indicates that the system is likely to continue its west-southwestward trajectory, potentially emerging into the Arabian Sea near the coast of Kutch and adjoining Saurashtra. It may intensify into a cyclonic storm on August 30, moving further west-southwest over the northeast Arabian Sea, away from the Indian coast, over the following two days.

The IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall across most areas, with heavy to extremely heavy rain expected at isolated locations on Thursday. On Friday, the forecast includes heavy to very heavy rain at isolated spots, with additional heavy rain anticipated over Gujarat’s coastal districts on August 31.

Wind speeds are expected to reach up to 65 kmph over south Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Kutch on Thursday and Friday, while strong winds of 60 kmph are forecast for the north Maharashtra coast over the next two days. 

The IMD has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea along and off the Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts until Saturday due to the hazardous conditions.