Cyclonic storm Vayu likely to hit Gujarat coast early on Thursday

AHMEDABAD: Cyclonic storm Vayu that has formed over the east central Arabian Sea, has moved further northwards with a speed of some 9kmph over the past six hours. According to the forecast by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclonic storm is likely to hit the Gujarat coast early on Thursday between Veraval and Diu.
Sharing more details, Jayanta Sarkar, director, IMD – Gujarat, said, “It will hit as a severe cyclonic storm. Currently it is some 630km south of Veraval. It is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours. The storm is very likely to move nearly northwards and hit the Gujarat coast between Veraval and Diu, with a wind speed of 110-120 kmph, gusting to 135kmp, early on Thursday.”
The cyclone would leave its impact on the coastal districts, including Kutch, Bhavnagar, Gir-Somnath, Porbandar, Amreli and Junagadh. “There will be very heavy rainfall in the Saurahstra-Kutch region,” according to a senior official of IMD – Gujarat. The cyclone's effect will prevail over Gujarat on June 12, 13 and 14.
High-level meetings by state, central government officials
In the wake of the weather warning, state chief secretary, JN Singh, held an emergency meeting early on Tuesday, to take stock of the situation and plan for necessary measures that need to be taken. CM Vijay Rupani will hold another meeting during the evening.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, also chaired a high level meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, to review the preparedness of State and Central Ministries/Agencies concerned to deal with the situation arising out of Cyclone ‘VAYU’.
Shah directed the senior officers to take every possible measure to ensure that people are safely evacuated and to ensure maintenance of all essential services such as Power, Telecommunications, health, drinking water etc. and that these are restored immediately in the event of damages caused to them. He also directed for 24x7 functioning of control rooms.
High alert in Gujarat
Meanwhile, high alert has been issued along the Gujarat state. “We have issued a cyclone warning with Distant Warning Number 2 (DW-2) at all the ports in Gujarat. Even fishermen warning has been issued. We are constantly in touch with the state government and all necessary actions are being initiated by the state government,” Sarkar explained.
Some 4.5 lakh farmers have been informed about the cyclone warning over voice messages while some 10,000 fishermen have also been informed.