Cyclone Shakhti

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the formation of Cyclone Shakhti over the northeast Arabian Sea.

About Cyclone Shakhti:

What it is?

• A tropical cyclonic storm that developed in the northeast Arabian Sea, ~340 km west of Dwarka (Gujarat).
• Named “Shakhti” under the World Meteorological Organisation’s regional naming system.

Origin:

• Formed due to low-pressure development over warm Arabian Sea waters in early October 2025.
• The system strengthened into a cyclonic storm (CS) on October 3 and is forecast to become a severe cyclonic storm (SCS) as it tracks west-southwestwards.

Features:

• Brings strong winds, high sea waves, and heavy rainfall potential along coastal belts.
• Part of a trend of increasing Arabian Sea cyclones due to rising sea surface temperatures.

Why Bay of Bengal Gets More Cyclones than Arabian Sea

• Warmer water: Bay stays hotter (29–30°C), while Arabian Sea is cooler.

• More moisture: Bay gets moist monsoon air and river inflow; Arabian Sea faces dry winds.

• External triggers: Pacific typhoons often enter Bay, but not Arabian Sea.