Cyclone Maha intensified: Gujarat, Maharashtra to receive heavy rainfall

Several places of Gujarat and Maharashtra are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall this week as Cyclone Maha has intensified into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm today.

Severe cyclonic storm Maha over East Central Arabian Sea moved westwards and intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm said India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Cyclone Maha, pronounced as M’maha, has moved west-northwestwards in last 24 hours and currently centred 600 km westsouthwest of Veraval in Gujarat, said IMD.

The weather forecasting agency said in a release that Cyclone Maha is very likely to move west-northwestwards till November 4. Then it would take a re-curve and move towards Gujarat. There are slight chances that the Cyclone might even degenerate into a Deep Depression while it makes landfall over Gujarat, said weather agency Skymet.

In the wake of Cyclone Maha, Saurashtra and Gujarat region is likely to receive heavy rainfall from November 6. IMD has also predicted rainfall in north Madhya Maharashtra and north Konkan in the next week.

Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph likely to commence over northeast Arabian Sea along and off Gujarat coast from 6th November morning. Sea condition will be rough to very rough during that period.

Many places in Gujarat has already received rain in the weekend due to Cyclone Maha. Farmers were affected as the unseasonal rain damaged their crops. All farmers affected by Cyclone Maha will get compensation, said Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani.

Rupani also said his government was taking all measures to minimise the impact of cyclone Maha in the state.

Ahmedabad Meteorological Centre Director Jayanta Sarkar said Maha could bring widespread rain to coastal Saurashtra and south Gujarat.

Maharashtra has witnessed moderate to heavy rainfalls in the weekend due to Cyclone Maha. Significant rainfall was observed over North Konkan as well as North Madhya Maharashtra, said Skymet.

(With inputs from agencies)