NEW DELHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a very strong warning about The depression in the Arabian Sea which is likely to intensify into a very 'severe cyclonic storm' named 'Tauktae' by May 17 and cross the Gujarat coast a day later.

Alerting all the states along the Western coast of the country the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD has said, "The weather condition has intensified into a deep depression and from May 16 to 19, it is very likely to intensify into a 'very severe cyclonic storm' with a wind speed of 150-160 kilometres per hour gusting up to 175 kmph, it is likely to reach Gujarat coast by the morning of May 18."

The warning is specifically focused on states like Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Konkan coastal region in Maharashtra and Goa which would likely be in direct line of the threat of the cyclone. 

The IMD warning note says, "The Ghat districts of Tamil Nadu are expected to witness light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy to very heavy falls and extremely heavy falls at isolated places are very likely on May 14 and 15."

Karnataka (coastal and adjoining ghat districts) are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places with extremely heavy falls at isolated places on May 15 and heavy falls at isolated places on May 16.

It further said the Lakshadweep Islands will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on May 15 and heavy falls at isolated places on May 16.

Konkan and Goa especially are expected to receive heavy to very heavy falls on May 15 and 16 while the coastal districts of Saurashtra and Kutch in Gujarat are likely to receive rainfall from May 16 and heavy to very heavy falls are expected on May 17.

In light of the IMD warning, the state governments have been advised to take immediate precautionary measure and deploy rescue teams in these six states.

'Tauktae' has been given by Myanmar which in the Burmese language means 'gecko' is going to be the first cyclonic storm of this year along the Indian coast.