Phyan is now heading towards North Maharashtra and south Gujarat, but the authorities are not taking any chances in Mumbai. All government offices schools, colleges in Mumbai and Thane were asked to shut early today.

The Depression, which developed yesterday, intensified into a cyclone early this morning and the system was earlier reported to move North northeastwards and cross South Gujarat and North Maharashtra coast between Alibag (Maharashtra) and Valsad (Gujarat) by late this evening or night.

The sea will be very rough along and off Maharashtra and South Gujarat Coast and fishermen have been warned against venturing along the Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat coasts, Met Office said.

Cyclonic storm over East Central Arabian Sea moved Northwards and lay centred at 0530 hours today over same area near latitude 16.0 degree North and longitude 71.5 degree East about 250 kilometres West northwest of Goa and 350 kms South southwest of Mumbai and 620 kms South southwest of Surat in Gujarat.

Under the influence of the deep depression, rainfall was experienced in most parts of Maharashtra today, with heavy to very heavy showers at few places including the metropolis and neighbouring Thane district.

Deputy Director General, Met Dept, Mumbai said the cyclone may not directly hit Mumbai... But the impact of the severe weather has already started in the city. In the afternoon perhaps, it will be more severe, disturbed weather will be there like heavy rains, storms and sea will become very rough. As far as Mumbai and coastal areas are concerned, we have informed the state government, disaster management authority, BMC to take all precautions for the safety of life and property. We have advised people in low-lying areas to take shelter.

Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is likely in Konkan and Goa and Central Maharashtra, the Met Office bulletin added.

"All schools and offices have been advised to close down for the day in view of the inclement weather that is likely to worsen," BMC Additional Commissioner A Maheshkar said.

While the schools were asked to shut down at 1 pm, offices were advised to close by 2 pm, Maheshkar said after a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Johny Joseph at Mantralaya.

She said the BMC was arranging for buses at Chhatrapati Shivaji and Churchgate terminus to ferry people back home.

All 24 control rooms of the BMC have been activated, she said, adding many trees maybe uprooted as the city and its adjoining areas were expected to experience high-speed winds reaching upto 90 km per hour.

The machinery has been geared up to promptly clear the streets of the trees and people cautioned against taking shelter under them.

Asked if the advisory for closure of educational institutions and offices would be in force even tomorrow, she said no such decision had been taken as yet.