Deep depression over Arabian Sea intensifies into cyclonic storm Biparjoy

MUMBAI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday evening said that the deep depression over southeast and adjoining eastcentral Arabian Sea has intensified into cyclonic storm 'Biparjoy' (pronounced as 'Biporjoy').

The IMD as on Tuesday 8pm, in a forecast said, "The Deep Depression over southeast and adjoining eastcentral Arabian Sea moved nearly northwards with a speed of 4 kmph during last 6 hours, has intensified into cyclonic storm 'Biparjoy' and lay centered at 1730 hours IST of today, the June 6, 2023 over eastcentral and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea about 920km west-southwest of Goa, 1050km southwest of Mumbai, 1130km south-southwest of Porbandar and 1430km south of Karachi. It is likely to move nearly northwards and intensify gradually into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over eastcentral Arabian Sea during next 24 hours."

Rajesh Kapadia, who runs private weather forecasting blog Vagaries of the Weather, said, there was no direct impact of cyclone in Mumbai. "Some showers on Friday through Sunday for Mumbai from the 'far away' system, with winds at 30 kmph. (Current wind speed in Mumbai today 5/6 kmph),” said Kapadia.

Meanwhile, the IMD in its five-day forecast has predicted light to moderate rain very likely from Wednesday to Saturday for parts of Mumbai, Thane and Palghar.

Experts have expressed views that the cyclonic storm ‘Biparjoy’ in the Arabian Sea, could lead to a weak monsoon onset.

"This is clearly the climate change link, as Arabian Sea warming is favoring more intense cyclones," said climate scientist Roxy Mathew Koll adding that the cyclone is likely to drive away the moisture making it unfavourable for the monsoon onset.


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