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IMD issues alert for Cyclone Shakhti, Gujarat prepares for storm

All districts were keeping a close watch over the developing situation even as the predictions say Shakhti is likely to due out at sea without making landfall in Gujarat

AB Pandor, the District Development Officer (DDO) of Dwarka said that fishermen had been warned not to go out to sea and all officers have been ordered not to leave the headquarters (Express Photo)

Even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued warnings to the fishermen against venturing out to sea in view of the building up of Cyclone Shakhti, collectors of the coastal districts of Saurashtra who were attending a two-day national conference on land administration and disaster management in Gandhinagar, headed back to base by Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, Sunday leaves for Collectorate staff were ordered cancelled as the IMD issued warnings over the severe cyclonic storm Shakhti, currently situated more than 500 km off the coastline.

All districts are keeping a close tab over the developing situation even as the predictions say Shakhti is likely to move out at sea without making landfall in Gujarat.

According to the IMD’s national bulletin, issued on Saturday, “Shakhti moved west-southwest with a speed of 13 kmph during last six hours and lay centered at 1730 hrs IST of on October 4, 2025 over northwest Arabian Sea about 580 km west of Dwarka, 580 km west-southwest of Naliya, 510 km southwest of Karachi (Pakistan), 390 km east of Ras Al Hadd (Oman) and 490 km east-northeast of Masirah (Oman).”

The bulletin stated, “It is likely to move west-southwest and reach northwest and adjoining west central Arabian Sea by October 5. Thereafter, it will recurve and move east-northeast wards from the morning of October 6 and weaken gradually.”

Dwarka District Development Officer (DDO) AB Pandor said, “The fishermen have been warned not to venture out to sea and all officers have been ordered not to leave the headquarters. We will know more on Sunday.”

Jamnagar Collector KB Thakkar said that the cyclonic storm appeared to be moving away from Gujarat, adding, “however, as long as the storm is out at sea, we cannot take it easy and should be alert because we cannot exactly be sure what may happen next but it is currently 500 km away from the coast so we are watching the situation.”

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Porbandar Collector SD Dhanani said that the cyclone appeared to be moving away from Gujarat towards Oman, “But the situation may change if it recurves, so for now, we have issued warnings only for the fishermen.”

Gir-Somnath district Collector NV Upadhyay said, “There is not much chance of the storm making landfall but we may have strong winds. As a precaution, we have cancelled all headquarters leaves on Sunday and asked everyone to remain on standby. We issued the fishermen warning earlier today and this warning will hold till October 7. We are hoping for the best.”

Surat Range (Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi and Dangs districts) IGP Prem Vir Singh said, “As per the meteorological forecast, there would be medium to heavy rainfall on October 8 and 9. We are keeping an eye on the situation. If necessary, we will make adequate arrangements in the coastal districts in South Gujarat. The arrangements will include patrolling and other measures. We are also in contact with the fishermen.”

Devbhumi Dwarka Superintendent of Police Jayrajsinh Vala said, “The Okha Madhi village in Dwarka may be affected. We have alerted all the fishermen not to venture into the sea. We have also started making preparations to shift people if needed during the disaster. The police are also in contact with SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) and NDRF(National Disaster Response Force) teams.”

Brendan Dabhi

Brendan Dabhi works with The Indian Express, focusing his comprehensive reporting primarily on Gujarat. He covers the region's most critical social, legal, and administrative sectors, notably specializing at the intersection of health, social justice, and disasters. Expertise Health and Public Policy: He has deep expertise in healthcare issues, including rare diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), the complex logistics of organ transplants, and public health challenges like drug-resistant TB and heat health surveillance. His on-ground reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic and Mucormycosis was critical in exposing healthcare challenges faced by marginalized communities in Gujarat. Social Justice and Legal Administration: He reports on the functioning of the legal and police system, including the impact of judicial philosophy, forensics and crucial administrative reforms (. He covers major surveillance and crackdown exercises by the Gujarat police and security on the international border. Disaster and Crisis Management: His work closely tracks how government and civic bodies respond to large-scale crises, providing essential coverage on the human and administrative fallout of disasters including cyclones, floods, conflict, major fires and reported extensively on the AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad. Civic Infrastructure and Governance: Provides timely reports on critical civic failures, including large scale infrastructure projects by the railways and civic bodies, as well as the enforcement of municipal regulations and their impact on residents and heritage. ... Read More

Kamal Saiyed

Kamal Saiyed is a senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, providing extensive, on-the-ground coverage from Surat and the broader South Gujarat region and the Union territories of Daman, Diu & Dadra Nagar Haveli. With a reporting career at the publication spanning back to 2007, he has established himself as a high-authority voice on the industrial, social, and political pulse of one of India’s fastest-growing urban hubs. Expertise Industrial & Economic Beat: Based in the "Diamond City," Saiyed offers expert reporting on the diamond and textile industries. His work tracks global market shifts (such as De Beers production changes), local trade policies, and the socio-economic challenges facing the millions of workers in Surat’s manufacturing hubs. Civic & Infrastructure Coverage: He consistently reports on urban development and public safety in Surat, including: Traffic & Urban Planning: Monitoring the city's 13-fold increase in traffic violations and the implementation of new municipal drives. Public Safety: Investigative reporting on infrastructure failures, fire safety NOC compliance in schools and commercial buildings, and Metro rail progress. Political Reporting: Tracking the shifting dynamics between the BJP, Congress, and AAP in South Gujarat and the neighboring Union Territories (Daman, Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli). Crime beat: Armed with a good source network Saiyed has been able to bring out the human side of crime stories in his region ... Read More

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