The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted that a cyclonic storm will engulf the western coast of India, bringing heavy rains to South Konkan, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kutch and even adjoining southwest Rajasthan. As per reports, a low-pressure area in the southwest Arabian Sea is likely to transform into the first cyclone of 2021 in the next 24 hours, which would be named ‘Tuktae’. Strong winds and intensified downpours will characterize the cyclonic activity and consequently, the IMD has issued warnings in the aforementioned areas.
Cyclonic rains along the western coast
The cyclone is forecasted to escalate as it moves north-northwestwards along the Gujarat coast, by May 18. Before that, it will bring light to moderate rainfall to many places in South Konkan and Goa on Saturday (May 15). The downpour will intensify to cast isolated – heavy to very heavy rainfall activity on Sunday and Monday (May 16 and 17), read reports. As per the IMD scale, rainfall between 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm in 24 hours is considered heavy. Heavy rainfall, on the other hand, is clocked between 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in one day. As per reports, rains will also wash over Gujarat from May 17, Kutch and Saurashtra by May 18 and parts of Rajasthan on May 19.
The IMD, through a tweet, had already advised the fishermen along the west coast against venturing to the sea in view of possible rough conditions and tidal waves. Those who were out at sea were advised to reach the shore by May 12. These tidal waves will also bring heavy heavy rainfall from May 13 to May 15, to Mumbai and adjoining areas and thus, IMD has raised consequent ‘yellow’ grade alarm here as well.
The Maharashtra belt, including Ratnagiri, Pune, Solapur, Beed, Ahmednagar, Sindhudurg, Latur, Sangli, Satara, Nanded, Kolhapur and Osmanabad will receive lightning and gusty winds along with the downpour. The cloud cover will persist over Mumbai and the maximum temperature will loom over the normal, 34°C for the next 2 days.
