A deep depression over the Arabian Sea intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Nanauk’ that lay about 660 kms southwest of Mumbai early on Wednesday morning and was heading for the Oman coast, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The system intensified into a cyclonic storm at 5.30 a.m. and lay centered over east central Arabian Sea about 660 kms southwest of Mumbai and 590 kms southwest of Veraval, it said in its morning bulletin.

“It would intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 24 hours and would move west-northwestwards towards Oman coast during next 72 hours,” it said.

Under its influence, strong winds with speed reaching 35-45 kmph and gusting up to 55 kmph would prevail along and off Konkan and south Gujarat coast.

Sea condition would also remain rough along and off Konkan, Goa and south Gujarat coast, the bulletin said.

Officials in the meteorological department had earlier said the system could impact the advancement of the monsoon over the country. The system has the potential to suck out moisture crucial for progress of the monsoon.

In Panaji, Acting Director of IMD, Goa station, V.K Mini told PTI, “The fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea as the cyclone would be severe, and wind would be circulated to a large extent in the Arabian sea.”

She said that the sea would be rough and the wind will blow at a speed of 40-60 kilometres per hour. There will also be tidal surge along with the wind, she said.

Mini said that the cyclone will not hit Goa and Konkan as it is moving in the opposite direction. “For it to hit Goa coast, it should have travelled in the easterly direction,” she said.

Nevertheless, a warning has been issued for the Goa coast and the state is expected to witness heavy rainfall at isolated places, the department said.

According to the IMD official, the arrival of monsoon in Goa was delayed due to the depression in the Arabian Sea, though it is expected to arrive any time over the next two days.

The IMD will be uploading the details of the forecast on its official website every three hours to keep the people and officials concerned updated about the cyclone, she said.