Cyclone Ockhi is gradually weakening into a depression and may not hit the Gujarat coast near Surat as predicted earlier. <br/><br/>The Meteorological Centre in Ahmedabad said tonight that the Cyclonic storm has already turned into a deep depression and may hit south Gujarat only as a depression late tonight. <br/>'<br/>The India Meteorological Department forecast said, the deep depression over east-central Arabian Sea moved further north-northeastwards with a speed of 18 kmph during the past six hours and lay centred over east-central Arabian Sea, about 240 km<br/>south-southwest of Surat and 150 km west-northwest of Mumbai.<br/>'<br/>Jayanta Sarkar, director of the MeT office in Ahmedabad said, the system weakened mainly because of unfavourable environmental conditions, like high wind shear and colder sea surface near the coast. <br/>'<br/>The IMD release said, the deep depression would bring light to moderate rain in several parts of state for the next three days as the sea condition would remain rough for the next 18 hours. It cautioned fishermen from venturing into the sea for the next 18 hours.<br/>'<br/>Although the cyclone has weakened, the state administration has made all the preparation to meet any eventuality. Officials said, around 1,600 people have been shifted to safer places in Surat. They said, the security forces– NDRF, BSF, Army, Navy, Coast Guard have been alerted to take all necessary steps.<br/>'<br/>Light to moderate rainfall is also forecast at most places in Maharashtra with isolated heavy rainfall over north Konkan till tomorrow morning. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the Sea as the sea condition is likely to be rough to very rough along and off north Maharashtra coast during the next 18 hours.<br/>'<br/>Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, he is continuously monitoring the situation arising in various parts of the country due to cyclone Ockhi. He spoke to all relevant authorities and officials. In a series of tweets, he said, all possible assistance is being provided to those affected. <br/>'<br/>