Cyclone Nisarga gains strength and intensity as it develops over the Arabian Sea

Cyclone Nisarga gains strength and intensity as it develops over the Arabian Sea

Close to two weeks after West Bengal went through a trail of misery following the landfall of the severe tropical cyclone 'Amphan', another powerful cyclone is intensifying over the Arabian Sea which is set to make its landfall on the coasts of Maharashtra and Gujarat. 

Presently, the cyclone is present in the form of depression and is lying at a distance of 490km from Mumbai, from the capital city of Goa, it lies at a distance of 280km and from Gujarat's Surat district at a distance of 710km.

According to IMD (The India Meteorological Department), on Tuesday at 5.30 a.m, the depression transformed into a deep depression and developed it's intensity. 

In 12 hours it is said to further intensify into a cyclonic storm and then into a severe cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours. Mumbai and various adjoining states have been put on high alert. 

IMD has categorised the cyclone based on their power and severity by using three different steps of low pressure, depression and deep depression. On Wednesday, it is slated to cross over Maharashtra and coasts of the southern part of Gujarat between the town of Harihareshwar in Raigad district and Daman in the form of a severe and intense cyclonic storm. 

Mrityunjay Mohapatra, Director of IMD, said that when the storm will cross the coastline on 3rd June, it is likely to have a wind speed of 90-105 kilometre per hour. 

Climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology Roxy Mathew Koll said that in the history of Maharashtra, this is the very first tropical cyclone to hit the coasts of the financial capital of India in June. 

On the other hand, a researcher from the similar Institute stated that the cyclonic storm would be the second storm in history to hit the coast of Maharashtra before the rainy season of April to June. 

Vineet Kumar, IMD Director-General said, "The only cyclone in the past that hit Maharashtra coast in the pre-monsoon season was May 1961 cyclone."

He also claimed that the effect of the cyclone would be more prominent in Maharashtra's coastal areas which includes Mumbai as well. Gujarat and it's neighbouring districts will also be affected but not as severely as Maharashtra. 

"As per our predictions, Maharashtra coastal districts like Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Thane, Raigad, Mumbai and Palgarh will be more affected by it," he added. 

The Central Water Commission has declared a flood alert for areas like Ratnagiri, Thane, Mumbai, Palgarh and districts of Nasik in Maharashtra, the districts of Daman which falls under the Union territory of Daman and Dui, Dadar and Nagar Haveli's district of Silvassa and Gujarat's Valsad district. 

The low lying regions in cities and towns have been put on high alert as there can be floods or water overflow in these areas. Mohapatra also warned about the damage that can be caused because of the severe high-speed winds vandalising the trees, electricity, mobile networks and wires. 

Because of its impact, the East Central Arabian Sea and the South-East part of the Arabian Sea are presently irregular and vicious. Till Thursday, the fishermen were warned not to enter the sea coasts that fall close to Kerala, coastal areas of Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Lakshadweep and Gujarat. 

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