Cyclone Vayu likely to hit Gujarat coast early on Thursday

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday that thunderstorm and lightning accompanied with gusty winds are likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of North Gujarat region on June 13.

“It is very likely to move nearly northwards and cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around Veraval and Diu region as a very severe cyclonic storm with wind speed 140-150 kmph gusting to 165 kmph around the morning of 13 June 2019,” the IMD said in a statement.

“Heavy to very rains very likely at a few places with extremely heavy falls in districts of Saurashtra namely Junagadh, Amreli, Gir Somnath, Diu. Heavy to very rains very likely at a few places in districts of Saurashtra namely Rajkot, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Dwarka, Bhavnagar,” the IMD stated in its bulletin today.

Home Minister Amit Shah Wednesday said authorities have evacuated about 3.1 lakh people living in the low-lying areas and the NDRF has pre-positioned 52 teams for rescue and relief operations.

“Gujarat has evacuated about 3 lakh people and Diu has evacuated over 10,000 people from low-lying areas to safer places…(the) MHA is in continuous touch with state govts/UT and central agencies. The NDRF has pre-positioned 52 teams equipped with boats, tree-cutters, telecom equipment etc,” Shah tweeted.

Operations at ports and airports in these regions have been suspended as a precautionary measure. Warning has been released for the fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off Gujarat coast from June 13 to June 16.

“Equipment and heavy machinery have been moved to safety at respective airports and the Airport Directors of AAI’s Bhuj and Jamnagar airports have been asked to write to the Indian Air Force to suspend operations of civil flights from these two airports also,” the AAI said in a statement.

The AAI owns and manages around 100 airports across the country. The AAI said that “a decision in respect of suspending operations at AAI’s Surat Airport will be taken after analysing the weather”.

The IAF C-17 aircraft has landed in Jamnagar with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel to carry out humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions for the people affected by the cyclonic storm.

Saurabh Chopra

With a blend of vivid areas of interest, Saurabh is a passionate reader and a news writer. He is always enthusiastic and proactive in finding the latest in his fields of interest. Saurabh is also a keen observer in the economic and business pits and falls.

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