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The deep depression in the Arabian Sea has intensified into cyclonic storm "Ashobaa" and is expected to further develop into a "super cyclonic storm" in next 24-36 hours, the weather office said on Monday.
"The deep depression over east central Arabian Sea has moved north-northwestwards during the past six hours and intensified further into a cyclonic storm (ASHOBAA), and lay centred at 0830 hours of June 8, 2015 nearly 590 km west-southwest of Mumbai, 470 km southwest of Veraval and 960 km east-southeast of Masirah Island (Oman).”
"It would move initially north-northwestwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 36 hours," the India Meteorological Department said. However, the landfall may not take place in India, said a senior IMD official. "We are monitoring the cyclonic storm. We will be able to predict the landfall as it intensifies further," the official added.
Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency, has said, "The system has shifted slightly away from the Indian coast."
Under the influence of this system, rainfall would occur at most places with isolated heavy falls over coastal Karnataka, Konkan and Goa and south Gujarat during the next 24 hours.
"Strong winds speed reaching 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph would prevail along and off Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra coasts during next 24 hours and 90-100 kmph gusting to 120 kmph during subsequent 24 hours. Sea condition would be very rough to high along and off Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra coasts during the next 48 hours," the IMD added.
The weather department in Ahmedabad issued a warning to fishermen along the Gujarat coast, which is expected to receive heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours.
The cyclone may not leave much effect on Gujarat as it is now laying at 470 km southwest of Veraval and gradually moving north-northwestwards, Jayanta Sarkar, Director of the Met Centre, said.
"The cyclone is gradually moving away towards Oman. Thus, it won't have much impact on Gujarat. However, strong winds and heavy rainfall would make the sea conditions very rough. Thus we have issued warning at coastal areas and advised fishermen not to venture into the sea during next 48 hours," said Sarkar.
The administration is taking all the precautionary steps even though ‘Ashobaa’ is not expected to make a landfall in the state.
"As per the current predictions, the cyclonic storm is not going to make landfall in Gujarat. However, we have already warned fishermen to not to venture into the sea. We have also alerted all the district collectors of coastal region to stay prepared for any unexpected turn of events" said state Relief Commissioner DN Pandey.
The storm will bring respite to the people, who are reeling under scorching heat for a long time, as the maximum temperature is expected to will fall by almost 5 to 6 degrees in most parts of state, Met officials said.
"Under the influence of this system, light to moderate rain or thundershowers would occur at a few places in north Gujarat and Kutch. Moderate to heavy rain would occur at many places in south Gujarat and Saurashtra region, including coastal parts in next 48 hours," said Sarkar.
Since early on Monday morning, clouds have covered most parts of state, giving huge relief from scorching heat. Maximum temperature of the city may fall up to 6 to 7 degrees on Monday, said Sarkar.
"On Sunday, maximum temperature of city touched 43.7 degrees. On Monday, it will come down to 36 to 37 degree, a dip of almost 6 to 7 degrees. Similarly, temperature will also decrease in other parts of Gujarat, as entire state is now experiencing cloudy weather," said Sarkar.
Though many parts of Gujarat are now experiencing cloudy weather, the actual onset of monsoon in Gujarat is still away.
"This is not the official onset of monsoon in the state. This is mainly under the influence of the cyclonic storm. The actual onset of monsoon is yet to arrive" he said.