Cyclone 'Hikka' Develops in Arabian Sea, Is Moving West Towards Oman

A depression off the Gujarat coast has deepened into a Cyclonic Storm (named 'Hikka') early on Monday morning. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) says that the westward path of the storm will take it towards Oman, with only light to moderate rain falling in Gujarat.

Late on Sunday, the national weather bureau said that satellite imagery and observations had detected a depression in the sea, located 150 km southwest of Veraval (Gujarat).

It had forecast that it would develop into a cyclone and move towards Oman over the next three days. As on Monday morning, this system has turned into a cyclone and has already shifted further away from Gujarat. It is presently 500 km west­-southwest of Veraval, 430 km south-­southwest of Karachi (Pakistan) and 760 km east­-southeast of Masirah (Oman).

The Weather Channel thinks that gale winds of 70-80 kmph are likely along its path in the Arabian Sea, at least until Wednesday. The IMD, meanwhile, has predicted 40-50 kmph winds, gusting to 60 kmph, along and off the Gujarat coast during the next 24 hours.

Light to moderate rainfall is expected in Saurashtra and Kutch. There is no weather warning for the state, but fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea off the Gujarat coast for the next 36 hours.

On Sunday, Gandhinagar received 42 mm rain between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm local time, while Vadodara got about 10 mm. Other places got slight or no rainfall.