MUMBAI: India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday advanced its yellow alert for Mumbai, Thane and Raigad by a day to May 16 as the depression over Lakshadweep and adjoining southeast and east central Arabian Sea intensified.
A yellow alert signifies high likelihood of heavy rains at isolated places. IMD has forecast light to moderate rain for Thane, Mumbai and Palghar on Saturday.
An orange alert has been issued for Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts for the weekend, indicating heavy to very heavy rains at a few places.
The IMD said the deep depression is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours and further escalate in the subsequent 24 hours. It is likely to reach Gujarat coast by the morning of May 18. The first cyclone of 2021 will be called Tauktae —a name given by Myanmar, which means ‘gecko’. “Squally winds and rough sea conditions are likely along and off south Maharashtra and Goa coasts on May 15. Fishermen have already been advised not to venture into the sea,” said Shubhangi Bhute, scientist IMD Mumbai. In the wake of these alerts at least 142 fishing boats returned to the Raigad shore. Fishing boats from Alibaug, Murud and Uran talukas were at sea till Thursday.