Cyclone Shakhti Drifts Away from Maharashtra, Expected to Weaken After October 6

Severe Cyclonic Storm Shakhti over the northwest Arabian Sea is gradually moving west-southwest.

And is expected to reach the northwest Arabian Sea by Sunday evening, October 5, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said late Saturday night. Currently located around 320 km east-southeast of Ras Al Hadd in Oman, the storm is forecast to recurve eastwards from October 6 and gradually weaken as it moves further over the Arabian Sea.

Earlier, the IMD had warned of heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas along Maharashtra’s coastline as the cyclone intensified. Disaster management authorities have been instructed to remain vigilant, and evacuation plans are in place for low-lying coastal areas.

Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts remain under high to moderate alert until October 7. Wind speeds of 45–55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, have already been recorded along the northern Maharashtra coast, and conditions are expected to worsen as the system moves westwards.

Authorities have advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea, while residents in vulnerable coastal areas are warned to be prepared for tidal surges and localised flooding. Sea conditions along the Gujarat–north Maharashtra and Pakistan coasts are expected to remain rough to very rough through Sunday.

Named by Sri Lanka, Cyclone Shakhti initially tracked westward before shifting west-southwest. On Friday evening, it was positioned roughly 300 km west of Dwarka, 330 km south-southwest of Karachi, and 360 km west of Porbandar, moving at about 8 kmph.

The IMD has cautioned that while the cyclone is likely to weaken after October 6 as it moves eastwards, coastal communities should stay alert over the next few days due to strong winds, high tides, and rough seas.