Cyclone Shakhti: What’s forming in the Arabian Sea, who’s at risk, and why this name stirred confusion earlier

IMD upgrades Arabian Sea system to deep depression, set to intensify into Cyclone Shakhti. Gujarat coast warned of high seas and squally winds. (Image credit: @shetty_athreya)

India’s west coast is on alert after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that a deep depression over the northeast Arabian Sea has the potential to intensify into Cyclonic Storm Shakhti within hours and further strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm. The system, currently located west of Dwarka and Porbandar, is expected to move away from India into the northwest Arabian Sea — but not before triggering very rough seas and squalls along the Gujarat–north Maharashtra coast.

This is the first major Arabian Sea storm of the post-monsoon season, and its name, Shakhti, is stirring debate because of earlier confusion over a “Cyclone Shakti” that never actually formed.

Deep Depression intensified into a cyclonic storm #Shakhti over NE Arabian Sea and lay near latitude 21.7N and longitude 66.8E,about 250 km west-southwest of Dwarka. To move west-southwestwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm in next 24 hrs. pic.twitter.com/iaHbaQF8hP

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— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) October 3, 2025

Where Cyclone Shakhti is right now

As of IMD’s 0530 IST bulletin on October 3, the system was centred near 21.3°N, 67.1°E, about 240 km west-southwest of Dwarka and 270 km west of Porbandar.

IMD forecasts intensification into a cyclonic storm (wind speeds 62–88 kmph) by late morning, and into a severe cyclonic storm (89–117 kmph) in the next 24 hours.

The track projection shows the storm drifting west-northwest, then west-southwest into the open Arabian Sea.

In plain words: the core of the storm is expected to stay offshore, but the fringe impacts will hit India’s west coast.

Who is most at risk

Marine interests first. Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the northeast and adjoining northwest Arabian Sea and along/off the Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts from October 3–6.

• Wind warnings: Squalls of 45–55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph along Gujarat–north Maharashtra coast, rising to 100–110 kmph gusting to 125 kmph over the northwest Arabian Sea.
• Sea condition: Very rough to high seas offshore; rough to very rough near the Gujarat–north Maharashtra coast.
• Ports and shipping: Offshore rigs, small craft and ports are advised to secure equipment and follow harbour signals.
• Inland weather: Rain bands and squally winds may cause localised flooding, treefalls and transit disruption in coastal Gujarat districts.

Here’s the thing: cyclones over the north Indian Ocean are named in sequence by IMD from a list contributed by 13 countries. The name Shakhti (with an h) was proposed by Sri Lanka. It will only be used once the system hits cyclonic storm strength (34 knots/62 kmph).

Back in May 2025, social media buzzed with warnings of a Bay of Bengal “Cyclone Shakti”. IMD categorically denied those claims, saying there was only an upper-air circulation, not a surface cyclone. That hype created unnecessary panic.

This time, though, the system is real, and IMD is the one confirming it.

Why Arabian Sea storms are getting stronger

The Arabian Sea was once considered less active than the Bay of Bengal, but that’s changing. Warmer sea-surface temperatures and favourable wind conditions have made rapid intensification events more frequent. In recent years, storms like Tauktae (2021) and Biparjoy (2023) showed how quickly systems can strengthen close to India’s west coast.

Shakhti may follow the offshore track, but it’s part of a broader trend: Arabian Sea storms are arriving stronger and faster than older climate models assumed.

How to read IMD advisories (and avoid panic)

Not every swirling cloud is a cyclone. A depression becomes a cyclonic storm only after it reaches wind speeds of 62 kmph. IMD is the only official agency naming storms in this region.

If you see viral posts with dramatic satellite images but no coordinates, no time stamp, and no IMD reference — be cautious. For actionable updates, follow:

• IMD’s 6-hourly bulletins
• State disaster management advisories
• Local port and harbour warnings