Updated: November 22, 2020 9:03:29 pm
Cyclone Gati does not pose a threat to India as it is heading towards the coast of Somalia.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) declared on Sunday the development of the second cyclone this year in the Arabian Sea, Cyclone Gati.
In In June this year, Cyclone Nisarga had hit Alibaug near the Raigad district in Maharashtra.
Named for India, Cyclone Gati does not pose a threat to India as it is heading towards the coast of Somalia.
According to IMD observations at 11.30am Sunday, Gati had escalated into a severe cyclonic storm and was located about 290 km south-southeast of Socotra in Yemen and 180 km east-southeast of Ras Binnah, Somalia. After moving further west in the next few hours, it will turn into a severe cyclone on Monday morning.
“It is very likely to move west-southwest and further intensify in a severe cyclonic storm. It is most likely to cross the Somali coast during the early hours of November 23 as a strong cyclonic storm. The wind speed could, upon landfall, oscillate between 120 and 130 km / h with gusts of up to 145 km / h, ”said Met officials.
Sea conditions during October to December are conducive to the formation of cyclones that hit the Indian coasts. The Arabian Sea generally sees the formation of a cyclone in one year, which normally follows a westward path towards the gulf region.
Read also | Are cyclones getting more severe?
IMD cyclone data between 2015 and 2020 shows that the frequency of cyclone development in the Arabian Sea is increasing.
In 2019, four cyclones –– Vayu, Hikka, Kyarr and Maha –– formed here, making it one of the busiest cyclonic years. In 2018, cyclones Luban, Mekanu and Sagar developed in this region.
In total, 12 cyclones have formed in the Arabian Sea in the last six years, and Cyclone Okhi (2017) caused some devastation in India.
Meanwhile, off the east coast, a simultaneous cyclone is brewing in the southern region of the Bay of Bengal, near Tamil Nadu.
For more than two days this has remained a low pressure system, but now it will escalate into a depression. Also, it would strengthen to form a cyclone probably on November 24.
As a result, the Met department has forecast widespread rains over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on November 23-26. Increased rainfall is forecast along the coast of Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Telangana until 26 November.
The southeastern fishing community has been warned not to venture out to sea until November 25.
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