Latest Update: Cyclone Nilofar: Is Strongest Now: Gusting At 230 Kph

Nilofar will make landfall here on November 1, 2014, early morning (IST)

Contrary to expectations, Cyclone Nilofar did not turn into a Category 4 Hurricane. It is at its strongest now. It is about 900 kms from Karachi and 400 SW of Masirah in Oman. It has average winds of about 195 Kph, gusting up to 230 Kph.

It has started curving now towards the Gujarat-Sindh border which it will hit on Saturday (November 1, 2014) early morning (IST and PST) at Koteshwar in Kachchh (India). It will hit land with winds of 80-90 Kph gusting up to 110 Kph. This what the JTWC predicts.

There is some disagreement between the JTWC and GFS about the cyclone.

GFS forecasts say Nilofar will hit Naliya (Gujarat) on Friday (October 31, 2014). That is a day earlier.

Either way, coastal Sindh is in for very strong winds and rains. As is northern Kachchh.

The rains will start from tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon and will increase all the time.

Flooding will happen in Sindh. Heavy rains expected in NW Rajasthan (Jaisalmer, Bikaner). The rains will reach Haryana and some showers in Delhi too.

NILOFAR UPDATE: 2:30 PM GMT Oct.28,2014: Cyclone Nilofar To Turn Into Category 4 Storm (Super Cyclone) Tomorrow

Nilofar is going to be bigger than expected. In an earlier update we had hinted at a Category 3 Hurricane. The lady is going to be a bigger killer than expected. A Category 4 storm.

Yes, come tomorrow morning and it will turn into a massive storm with winds of 230-280 Kph. We can safely call it a super cyclone. (The IMD says winds above 222 Kph makes a super cyclone). Thank God that it is not going to hit Oman!

That is what the JTWC says in its latest bulletin at 3 PM, GMT, October 28, 2014.

Though NOAA says it will be strongest with only 195 Kph winds by tomorrow evening. That would make it a Category 3 hurricane.

The update adds that it will weaken a lot before landfall at Narayan Sarovar in Kachchh (Gujarat) on Saturday afternoon (November 1, 2014). The winds will be about 75 Kph gusting up to 90 Kph

VIDEO: BIRTH OF A MONSTER: CYCLONE NILOFAR TODAY (OCTOBER 28, 2014)

Nilofar Update: Tuesday: October 28, 2014: Cyclone Will Turn Into A Category 3 Storm Tomorrow

Cyclone Nilofar is a big storm. Make no mistake about it. No wonder the Gujarat government is on its toes. Tomorrow morning it will turn into a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 200 Kph gusting up to a massive 240 Kph.

Till Wednesday morning (GMT) it will move in a northerly direction. By the evening it will have started changing direction and making a curve towards Gujarat.

On November 1, 2014 (Saturday) it will make landfall at Narayan Sarovar in Kachchh, Gujarat. The winds then will be 85 Kph gusting up to 100 Kph. The JTWC forecast says Cyclone Nilofar will weaken by landfall. Small mercies for Gujarat.

But even winds of 80-100 Kph is nothing to sneeze at. Not to forget the torrential rainfall which will lash entire Kachchh for 24 hours.

The latest track path forecast for Cyclone NILOFAR according to the JTWC