India – Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga Makes Landfall in Maharashtra

by in Asia, News

Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga made landfall at the coastal town of Alibag in Raigad district in the state of Maharashtra , India on 03 June. It then moved over in Maharashtra, weakening into a Cyclonic Storm and later a depression.

NASA’s Aqua satellite analyzed Tropical Cyclone Nisarga. Credit: NASA JPL/Heidar Thrastarson

Coastal districts of Maharashtra bore the brunt of the storm, experiencing strong winds, rough seas and heavy rainfall. Around 65,000 people in coastal areas were moved to safer locations as a precautionary measure.

Alibag saw winds of up to 130 km/h. Storm surge of 1.5 to 2.5 metres was reported along the coasts in Ratnagiri and Raigad districts. Electricity supply was cut in some parts of Ratnagiri district as a preventive measure.

Further inland, two deaths, several injuries and partial damage to nearly 140 households were reported in Pune district, where heavy rainfall also caused some flooding. Flooding was also reported in the city of Nashik.

After a slight change of direction, the impact of the storm was less severe in Mumbai and Thane regions than originally expected. However, Mumbai is currently seeing heavy rainfall and several roads are flooded. Wadala recorded 59mm of rain in 3 hours on 04 June. Parts of Navi Mumbai recorded over 70mm during the same period.

As of 04 June, the Indian Meteorology Department (IMD), said Nisarga has weakened into a depression and lay centred over western parts of the Vidarbha region in the north east of the Maharashtra.

Track of Nisarga over Maharashtra, India. Image: Indian Meteorology Department

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