Cyclone Toukte, which is currently developing over Lakshadweep islands and Arabian sea, is likely to intensify into a full-fledged cyclone on Sunday, causing heavy rains and windy heavy rains in the southern and western coastal parts of the country.

“It is likely to intensify into a deep depression in the next 12 hours and a storm in the next 12 hours. This is likely to intensify further. Initially, it will move north-northeast till today evening. It will then move north-northwest and reach Gujarat coast by the morning of May 18,” the IMD said in its latest bulletin.

The cyclone will bring moderate rainfall in large parts of Lakshadweep Islands, with the IMD saying the heaviest rainfall is expected at isolated places from today (May 14) to Sunday.

Heavy to very heavy rains are likely to occur in Kerala on Saturday and heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places on Sunday and Monday, the IMD said.

Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg are likely to receive very heavy rains on Sunday and Monday, while Mumbai, Thane and Raigarh will be lashed by very heavy rain on Monday, with thunderstorms expected in Satara, Kolhapur, Western Ghats and parts of Pune on Sunday and Monday.

Coastal Maharashtra, especially the South Konkan region, may hit at 60 km/h on Saturday, and will rise up to 80 km/h on The Maharashtra-Goa coasts on Sunday, along with very rough seas.

Fishermen who have already come out in the Arabian Sea have been advised to return, while others have been warned not to venture into the sea from May 14-18.

The National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Indian Navy, and other agencies have been placed on high alert to resolve any situation in the next few days.