'Maha' may bring rains in parts of Maha, Goa till Nov 7: IMD

Parts of the coastal Konkan, central Maharashtra and Marthawada regions are likely to receive rains along with Goa over the next two days due to severe cyclonic storm 'Maha', which is expected to make a landfall on the Gujarat coast near UT of Diu on November 7.

'Maha' is forming over the east-central and west-central Arabian Sea, an official said, adding that it is likely to move rapidly towards the east-northeast while weakening further, Met department said on Tuesday.

"Parts of Konkan, central Maharashtra, Marathwada and Goa may witness some rainfall till November 7, as a result of the cyclonic storm. Isolated places in central Maharashtra and Marathwada may witness thunderstorm and lightning," a India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin said.

'Maha' is expected to hit the Gujarat coast between the Union Territory of Diu and Porbandar, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 70-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph, by the early hours of Thursday, a Met official said.

Heavy to very heavy rains may be witnessed at isolated places over Andaman and Nicobar Islands, he added.

Fishermen are advised not to venture into the central and northeast Arabian Sea, along and off the Gujarat coast and adjoining north Maharashtra coast, north Andaman sea and southeast and east-central Bay of Bengal, he said.

The very severe cyclonic storm is hovering around 650 km west-southwest of Porbandar and 700 kms west-southwest of Veraval in the Arabian sea.

It is likely to weaken into a cyclonic storm before it makes landfall on Thursday.