First-ever cyclone to hit Mumbai in June; Maha, Guj brace for it amid Covid spike

Tropical cyclone Nisarga is likely to convert into a ‘severe cyclonic storm’ which may make landfall close to Alibag, 94 km south of Mumbai, on the afternoon of June 3.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said that the cyclone is headed towards the Maharashtra and Gujarat coasts. Mumbai, Palghar, Thane, Ratnagiri, South Gujarat and Saurashtra have been put on high alert.

This will be the first-ever cyclonic storm in recorded history to hit Mumbai in June, which is already on the top in the list to add in the maximum number of coronavirus cases so far. The earlier one had hit Mumbai in November, 2009. It, however, did not cause major damage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took stock of the situation in the wake of cyclonic conditions in western India. “Took stock of the situation in the wake of cyclone conditions in parts of India’s western coast. Praying for everyone’s well-being. I urge people to take all possible precautions and safety measures,” PM Modi tweeted.

The Governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat have held a high-level meeting to assess the preparations for the cyclone.

According to the IMD, the storm may cause major damage to thatched houses, huts, power and communication lines and coastal crops. The storm is expected to have a wind speed of 100 km per hour, gusting up to 120 kmph.

The storm is expected to cross north Maharashtra and adjoining south Gujarat coast between Harihareshwar (Raigad, Maharashtra) and Daman during the afternoon of June 3. The nearly 260 km patch between Raigad and Daman has one of the highest population densities in the country. Apart from Mumbai, it also has satellites cities like Thane, Navi-Mumbai, Panvel, Kalyan-Dombivli, Mira-Bhayander, Vasai-Virar, Ulhasnagar, Badlapur and Ambernath.

When it crosses the coast on the evening of June 3, it will have a speed of 105-110 kmph, the IMD said. Heavy rains are also expected in south Gujarat, coastal Goa, coastal Karnataka and madhya Maharashtra on June 3 and 4. Storm surge of about 1-2 meters height above astronomical tide is very likely to inundate low lying areas in these regions. The IMD alert says Cyclone Nisarga will likely hit Navsari area in Gujarat by tonight or June 4 morning.

 “Depression over east-central Arabian sea lay near latitude 14.4 deg N and longitude 71.2 deg E about 300 km west-southwest of Panjim, 550 km south-southwest of Mumbai and 770 km south-southwest of Surat,” the IMD added. According to IMD, very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is predicted in Coastal Karnataka, madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada during next 24 hours. However, it could be less intense than the recent Cyclone Amphan. Categorised as an extremely severe cyclonic storm, it had ravaged parts of West Bengal 10 days ago.

The Sea condition is rough to very rough over east central Arabian sea. The sea condition is very likely to be very rough to high over northeast Arabian sea along and off south Gujarat, Maharahstra and Goa coast from Tuesday evening to June 3.