Mumbai, November 7: Parts of Maharashtra will have to brace for more rains on Thursday as the severe cyclonic storm Cyclone Maha is likely to weaken into depression in the Arabian Sea in the next 12 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. As Cyclone Maha is losing intensity, it is likely that it may skirt the Gujarat coast. Meanwhile another cyclonic storm named Cyclone Bulbul is gathering intensity and is heading towards West Bengal in the east. According to the MeT department, though Cyclone 'Maha' is weakening, it will cause light to moderate rains on Thursday in parts of Maharashtra.

The IMD said Cyclone Maha will turn into a deep depression by Thursday morning. This means, the cyclone will lessen its severity, following which it is very likely to move east-northeastwards, weaken into a deep depression over the northeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea during next 12 hours.  In the wake of the current weather conditions, Thane and Palghar district administrations have stepped up preparedness to deal with any eventuality in view of the cyclonic storm. Maha Cyclone: Schools, Colleges in Maharashtra's Palghar District to Remain Close For 3-Days.

Under the influence of the weakening cyclonic storm, Central Maharashtra, Thane and Palghar districts will receive light to moderate showers on Thursday due to the cyclonic storm hovering in the Arabian sea. In its bulletin, the weather agency said that the severe cyclonic storm Maha is weakening but moving towards the coastal areas of Gujarat. "Its impact will be in the form of light to moderate showers in Madhya Maharashtra as well as Thane and Palghar districts", it said.

In Palghar, all educational institutions will remain shut between November 6 and 8. Meanwhile, the collector of Thane district directed officials on Wednesday to take a call depending upon situation. According to a report by PTI, Palghar Collector Kailas Shinde directed senior officials to be on toes in view of the cyclonic storm warning while Thane Collector Rajesh Narvekar has also given a set of directions to different departments.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 07, 2019 08:50 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).