‘Kyarr’ to intensify in next 24 hours: IMD

Mumbai: India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday announced that cyclonic storm Kyarr is likely to enter into ‘extremely severe’ category over the east-central Arabian Sea. Earlier it was classified as a ‘very severe’ cyclonic storm.

While the India Meteo-rological Department has stated that it could mean heavy spells for southwestern districts like Ratnagiri and Sind-hudurg, Mumbai and ad-joining areas will receive intermittent rains with lower intensity.

The weather department has issued an advisory for fishermen in Maharashtra not to venture into the sea for the next 24 hours. Tourists have also been asked to avoid coastal areas along Goa and Maharashtra.

According to IMD, the cyclone is very likely to move west-northwestwards towards Oman coast during next five days and intensify further into an extremely severe cyclonic storm during next 24 hours.

The forecast stated that squally wind speed reaching 60 kmph is likely along Maharashtra and Goa coast during next 12 hours.  

“Light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg Districts of Maharashtra, Goa and Uttar Kannada & Uduppi districts of Karnataka during next 12 hours,” read the IMD report.

An IMD official said, “The coastal Maharashtra will be affected by Kyarr, we have already issued warning to fishermen to not venture into the sea. Areas like Ratnagiri, Sindhurdurg and Goa may see heavy spells, but in Mumbai, there will be light rains only. The sky will remain cloudy throughout the day.”

“Thunderstorm accompanied by rains and gusty winds is expected in areas like Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Ahme-dnagara and Sangli. As per our study, no severe damage will be caused due to rains in these areas,” the official added.

However Skymet Weather, private weather forecast agency stated that by October 27, the impact of cyclone Kyarr would start reducing over the Indian Coast, as the system would move further westwards.

“By October 28 the speed of winds would ease down and vary between 30 and 40 kmph, gusting 50 to kmph only,” read the Skymet Weather report.