AMN
Mumbai and some neighbouring areas experienced light rain with thunderstorm early morning today following the formation of a low pressure area in the Arabian Sea. Light rain or the drizzle was reported from parts of Mumbai city, its suburbs and neighbouring districts of Thane and Palghar, bringing some respite to residents from the hot and humid weather. While some parts of the state, including Pune, witnessed rain with thunderstorm and gusty winds yesterday.
IMD Mumbai’s Deputy Director General of Meteorology K S Hosalikar said in a tweet that Maharashtra experienced rain with thunderstorms associated with gusty winds especially in interiors in last 24 hours.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the low pressure area formed in the Arabian Sea may develop into a cyclonic storm and is likely to hit North Maharashtra and Gujarat coast on June 3. The IMD, in a pre-cyclone warning issued yesterday for the north coast of the state and south Gujarat, said that the low pressure area over south-east and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area persists.
It is very likely to concentrate into a depression over east-central and adjoining south-east Arabian Sea during next 24 hours and likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm over east-central Arabian Sea during the subsequent 24 hours. It also said that the cyclonic storm was very likely to move northwards till Tuesday morning and then re-curve from north to north-east, coming close to the north coast of the state and the south of Gujarat around Wednesday morning.
The IMD warning stated that Maharashtra, especially the west coast, is very likely to experience an active wet spell during June 1-4. Therefore, fishermen are advised not to venture into Arabian Sea, and to return to coasts by May 31. Squally wind, speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph, very likely to prevail. It will gradually increase, becoming gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also appealed to fishermen not to venture into the sea. The state government has stepped up safety measures along the Konkan coast to tackle any eventuality.