Fury Unleashed: Cyclone Shakhti Roars over Arabian Sea Near Gujarat

Cyclone Shakhti, the first cyclonic storm to develop in the Arabian Sea during this post-monsoon season, is intensifying off the Gujarat coast, prompting warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Named by Sri Lanka, the storm formed over the northeast Arabian Sea and is tracking towards Dwarka, raising concerns for maritime safety in the region.

As of 8:16 AM IST, Shakhti had moved west-northwestwards at a speed of eight kilometres per hour over the past six hours, centred approximately 300 kilometres west of Dwarka.

The cyclone's current position places it about 330 kilometres south-southwest of Karachi, Pakistan, and 360 kilometres west of Porbandar, Gujarat. While specific wind speeds were not detailed in initial IMD updates, the storm is expected to strengthen significantly. Forecasters predict it will evolve into a severe cyclonic storm by Saturday morning before continuing west-southwestwards into the central Arabian Sea by October 5. This trajectory suggests it will remain offshore, avoiding direct landfall, though its proximity to the coast could disrupt fishing and shipping activities.

Sea conditions along and off the Gujarat-north Maharashtra coasts, as well as Pakistan's shoreline, are forecasted to be rough to very rough until Sunday, driven by Shakhti's growing influence.

The IMD has issued a targeted advisory urging fishermen to avoid venturing into the northwest and northeast Arabian Sea, adjoining central areas, and waters off the Gujarat-Maharashtra coasts until Tuesday. "Thereafter, it is likely to continue to move west-southwestwards and reach central parts of the north and adjoining central Arabian Sea by 5th October," the bulletin stated, emphasising the need for heightened vigilance in these zones.

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Historically, the Arabian Sea sees fewer cyclones than the Bay of Bengal, with recent examples including the devastating Cyclone Tauktae in 2021 and Cyclone Biparjoy in 2023, both of which battered western India. While Shakhti is projected to peak in intensity over the next two days before weakening from Monday onwards, authorities are monitoring its path closely to mitigate any unforeseen escalations.

No evacuations have been ordered yet, but coastal communities are urged to stay informed through official channels as the situation develops.

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