Cyclone MAHA: Extremely severe storm weakens, to hit Gujarat coast on Nov 7, heavy rainfall at several places predicted

Extremely severe Cyclonic storm Maha which is expected to hit Gujarat coast on late Wednesday (November 6-7) has weakened into a severe cyclonic storm, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has alerted.

The extremely severe storm was over the Arabian Sea about 640 km west-southwest of Porbandar on Tuesday afternoon (Nov 5) is likely to weaken and cross Gujarat coast around November 7 morning.

The weather department has predicted extremely heavy rainfall in the coastal areas of Gujarat — Junagarh, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Surat, Bharuch, Porbandar, Rajkot on November 6-7.

Although weakening but still in the severe category, the storm is expected to cause heavy damage in Gujarat. 

Cyclone MAHA is centred about 610 km west-southwest of Porbandar (Gujarat). It will move east-northeastwards with rapid weakening. It is very likely to cross Gujarat coast around Diu as a Cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph on November 7 morning.

The cyclone will affect the region in Gujarat and Maharashtra both the states. In Gujarat, heavy rainfall is also expected Anand, Ahmedabad, Botad, and Vadodara on Wednesday and Thursday.

While districts including Thane, Palghar and some other northern districts will witness rainfall due to cyclone MAHA.

Ministry of Defence in a press release on Tuesday said, "Four warships of the Western Naval Command have been loaded with HADR relief materials like food packets, water, medical supplies and other essential commodities. Naval units of the Gujarat Naval Area are also prepared with Emergency Response Teams equipped with underwater diving equipment and inflatable boats."

"Rough to very rough sea conditions are likely to affect East Central Arabian Sea and heavy rain with thunder and lightning is expected to affect South Gujarat and North Maharashtra areas," the press release stated.

It added that naval aircraft and helicopters are ready to undertake any survey and air rescue operations.

Sea condition will be rough to very rough along and off the coasts of Gujarat and Maharashtra from November 6 to 7, IMD has said. It has advised total suspension of fishing operations till November 7 forenoon.