The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts Cyclone Shakathi further strengthening into a severe cyclonic storm today with a subsequent shift west-south-west towards the Central Arabian Sea by October 5, before weakening from Monday.
While the cyclone's offshore trajectory minimises direct landfall risks, IMD bulletins emphasise rough to very rough sea conditions along Gujarat's North Maharashtra coast and Pakistan's shoreline until Sunday. Fisherfolk have been urged to avoid northwest and northeast Arabian Sea zones, adjoining central areas, and waters off Gujarat-Maharashtra until Tuesday, prioritising maritime safety amid gusts potentially exceeding 65 kmph.
No immediate evacuations are mandated for coastal Gujarat, though vigilance remains high in Dwarka and Porbandar districts, where low-lying areas could face tidal surges.
Social media platforms like X have amplified unfounded anxieties, with users circulating rumours of Shakthi battering Mumbai and Maharashtra's coastline, prompting widespread panic and queries about heavy rains through October 7. Posts from accounts such as @rushikesh_agre_ and @vineet_mausam, however, debunk these claims, clarifying no heavy rainfall threat exists for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, or other districts.
IMD's official advisories confirm the storm's path skirts Maharashtra, attributing viral alerts to media misinterpretations. "Unnecessary panic and rumours are spreading. Please rely only on verified updates," one meteorologist warned, echoing calls to consult IMD's cyclone portal.
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Historically, Arabian Sea cyclones like 2021's Tauktae and 2023's Biparjoy have tested western India's resilience, displacing millions and causing economic losses exceeding Rs 20,000 crore combined. Shakthi's emergence underscores climate-driven shifts, with warming seas fuelling more frequent events—up 52% since 2000, per IMD data.
Authorities advise coastal residents to monitor updates via official channels, secure assets, and avoid speculation as the storm's evolution is tracked via satellite and buoys. With no Mumbai impact projected, focus shifts to Gujarat's preparedness, ensuring swift response to any deviations.
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