Cyclonic storm Tauktae intensified overnight into a "very severe cyclonic storm", the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said. 100 rescue teams have been deployed in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa.
Cyclone Tauktae is "very likely to intensify further" during the next 12 hours, the weather office said, adding it may cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva in Bhavnagar district on Tuesday morning.
"Ignore rumours, stay calm and don't panic," the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said as it advised people to follow weather updates on radio, TV and newspaper.
Fishermen have been asked not to venture out in the sea.
Fishing boats anchored amid cyclone Tauktae warning, at Puthiyappa fishing harbor in Kozhikode
Fishermen in Kanyakumari amid huge wave turbulence due to the cyclone Tauktae at seashore
Fishing boats anchored at Badhwar park due to formation of cyclone Tauktae in the Arabian Sea in Mumbai
Rough sea weather conditions due to formation of cyclone Tauktae in Thiruvananthapuram
Downpour In Gujarat, Surat, Navsari, Valsad Districs Gets Heavy Rain In Last 36 Hours Cyclone Tauktae: Fix Accountability For Barge P-305 Accident, Says Panel Mumbai Man Lies On Waterlogged Road, Internet Says "Maldives In Malad" Nurse Raped, Killed On Way Home, Body Found 9 Days Later In UP This US City Has Been Declared America's Least Desirable, Survey Finds "Don't Expect Anything From Me": Kolkata Hospital's New Principal Loses Cool Ukraine, Russia Both Claim Advances In Kursk Region Gaza Ceasefire Talks Underway In Qatar As Deaths Top 40,000 Trump To Hold Press Conference, His Campaign Adds Senior Advisers Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.