NEW DELHI: With India’s mainland getting ready for the onset of monsoon over Kerala, new conditions over the Arabian Sea around Lakshadweep may witness a cyclonic storm – called Nisarga – reaching near Maharashtra-Gujarat coast on Wednesday, bringing heavy rainfall with a strong wind to Mumbai and neighbouring coastal areas.
Though its intensity may not be as strong as the cyclone Amphan which had hit West Bengal on May 20, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued warning of heavy rainfall and rough sea conditions for fishermen and coastal authorities in Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat for Tuesday and Wednesday. Coastal Maharashtra may face wind speed of 90-100 kmph on Wednesday.
“The IMD predicts a cyclonic storm over the Arabian sea by June 2 (Tuesday). It is likely to move towards north Maharashtra and south Gujarat coasts,” said Madhavan Rajeevan, secretary, ministry of earth sciences (MoES). He tweeted that the conditions may bring “strong winds and heavy rains” in Mumbai from June 3.
“The systems (conditions over the Arabian Sea) are under continuous surveillance and the concerned state governments are being informed regularly,” said the IMD in a statement.
Under the influence of the system over the Arabian Sea, Konkan a