Weather Update: Cyclone Formation in Arabian Sea May Delay Onset of Monsoon in Kerala

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said that a depression had formed over the southeast Arabian Sea and is anticipated to track northwestward, intensifying into a cyclonic storm by Wednesday.

According to the IMD's bulletin, the depression was located approximately 950 km west-southwest of Goa, 1,100 km south-southwest of Mumbai, 1,190 km south of Porbandar, and 1,490 km south of Karachi, Pakistan, as of 8:30 am.

Experts have indicated that the intensity and location of the storm in the Arabian Sea could impact the onset of the monsoon in Kerala.

The cyclonic storm, to be named Biparjoy, is expected to move in a northerly direction and intensify over the east-central Arabian Sea and adjoining Southeast Arabian Sea, as stated by the IMD.

This event bears similarities to the formation of Cyclone Yaas in 2021, which coincided with the onset of the monsoon.

"The conditions for the progress of the monsoon have been favorable for the past week. Satellite imagery has consistently shown cloud formation off the Kerala coast, signaling the strengthening of the monsoon," commented a senior IMD official.

The IMD will continue to closely monitor the development of the cyclonic storm and provide regular updates to ensure the safety and preparedness of coastal regions.

Ports in Gujarat told to hoist warning signal

All ports in Gujarat have been asked to hoist a warning signal as a depression formed in the Arabian Sea is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday.

Fishermen have been told not to venture into the deep sea due to the weather phenomenon, it said.

The weather agency has told that signal ''Distant Cautionary-1 (DC-1)'' be hoisted at all the ports of North and South Gujarat coasts, as reported by PTI.

According to the IMD portal, DC-I is hoisted at a port when the (weather) system out at sea is a depression or a deep depression and while the local weather at the port itself is not likely to be affected immediately, ships leaving the port may run into danger during their voyage.

"We have issued a warning to fishermen not to venture into the sea. This warning is for north Gujarat ports. If fishermen are fishing in the deep sea (North or South Gujarat), they should immediately return," Ahmedabad Met Director Manorama Mohanty told reporters.

The department has not predicted that the cyclonic storm, which is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm, will make landfall on the Gujarat coast as of now.