Depression over Arabian Sea; heavy rains likely in Maharashtra and Gujarat

A "depression" has developed over the Arabian Sea, a second time in a month, and is likely to turn into "deep depression", bringing in squally winds and heavy rains in Maharashtra and Gujarat, the weather office said on Tuesday.

"A depression over the northeast and adjoining east central Arabian Sea has moved slightly eastwards and lay centred about 280 kms southwest of Porbandar at 0530 hrs IST on Tuesday. The system is likely to further slowly move east- northeastwards and may concentrate into a deep depression during next 24 hours," the meteorological department said in a statement in New Delhi.

"Squally wind speeds reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph are expected to prevail along and off Gujarat and north Maharashtra coast during next 24 hours," it said.

The department has cautioned fishermen against venturing into the sea. "The sea condition would be rough to very rough and fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea over the next two days," the statement said.

According to weather experts, depression is observed in the initial stages and at the end of any cyclonic storm. However, not all depressions end up becoming a cyclonic storm.

The MET department was closely monitoring the depression over the Arabian Sea as it was likely to bring heavy rains in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Such a phenomenon affects the progress of monsoon.