Cyclone Ashobaa seen just off the coast of Mumbai. Image by INSAT.

A depression forming in the Arabian Sea about 590 kilometres west-southwest of Mumbai is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, the Indian Meteorological Department said.



Tropical cyclone Ashobaa is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains around the coastlines of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka, along with the southern parts of Pakistan.



"It would move initially north-northwestwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 36 hours," the India Meteorological Department said. However, the landfall may not take place in India, said a senior IMD official.









The storm is currently shaping for a landfall in Oman.



"We are monitoring the cyclonic storm. We will be able to predict the landfall as it intensifies further," the official added.



The rains would accompany strong winds with speeds around 70-80 KMPH, increasing to 90-100 KMPH over the next 24 hours.



Fishermen are advised to head back to the coast.













Gujarat,Maha,Karna,Goa: Fishermen advised not to venture into the sea/return from open sea http://t.co/rUGYlHzyNY pic.twitter.com/aBUIPKwxb2 — DeshGujarat (@DeshGujarat) June 8, 2015