By that time the JTWC initiated advisories, Luban had rotating rainbands around a persistent central area of thunderstorms, with good outflow to the north. The circulation became better defined over time, steered generally west-northwestward by a subtropical ridge to its north. On October 9, the IMD upgraded Luban to a severe cyclonic storm, as the thunderstorms continued to bloom over the circulation. A day later, the IMD upgraded Luban further to a very severe cyclonic storm, with maximum sustained winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph), equivalent to a hurricane. Luban coexisted with Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Titli, marking the first time since 1977 that two storms of such intensity were active at the same time in the North Indian Ocean. The JTWC also upgraded Luban to the same intensity on October 10, noting the development of an eye feature. Both the IMD and the JTWC estimated that Luban attained a peak winds of 140 km/h (85 mph). They also forecasted that the storm would continue its general trajectory and strike the Arabian Peninsula.