Cyclone Vayu LIVE: As Precautionary Measure, Six NDRF Teams Remain on Alert in Gujarat & Mumbai

Visuals from Gujarat's Valsad as strong winds hit the region and sea turns rough.

National Disaster Management Authority of India (NDMA) has tweeted saying, "Gale winds speed of the order of 135-145 kmph gusting to 160 kmph very likely to prevail over the north Arabian Sea and Gujarat coast. It is very likely to be 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph over north Maharashtra Coast and northern parts of east-central Arabian Sea."

Gale winds speed of the order of 135-145 kmph gusting to 160 kmph very likely to prevail over the north Arabian Sea and Gujarat coast. It is very likely to be 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph over north Maharashtra Coast and northern parts of east-central Arabian Sea.

IMD

— NDMA India (@ndmaindia) June 13, 2019

During evacuation in Maliya block of Gujarat's Junagadh district, a delivery was conducted by 108 ambulance emergency team in the ambulance itself. Baby and the mother are healthy and are under close supervision of doctors.

GTDC Seeks Info on Cruise Ships Operating Close to Arabian Sea | The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has sought a report over some cruise ships operating in the Mandovi river here located close to the Arabian Sea despite a warning of rough weather along the state coast due to Cyclone Vayu.

NDRF Teams Still on Alert in Porbandar | Six teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are still on alert in Porbandar. 

While heading towards Gujarat earlier, the cyclonic storm had brought some good spell of rain to Mumbai and neighbouring Raigad, Thane and Palghar districts of Maharashtra.

The Indian Meteorological Department also says, "The threat of surge in wind, dust storm and rainfall stays very much. The centre of the storm -- known as the eye  -- has slightly moved away from the Gujarat coast, but its diameter is well over 900 km."

Pankaj Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of Gujarat's Revenue Department says that the state will continue to be on high alert despite the storm shifting its course. "Persons shifted to shelter homes will stay there and others should continue to stay in safe areas. Preparedness is to continue at the same level." 

Beaches in Mumbai will still remain closed for public in the Konkan region. Here are some visuals from Mahim beach in Mumbai. 

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has also confirmed that Cyclone Vayu won't be hitting Gujarat, only passing nearby Veraval, Porbandar and Dwarka. The effect will be seen inthe coastal regions as there will be heavy wing speed and heavy rains as well. 

Cyclone Vayu Will Not Hit Gujarat: Skymet Weather | Cyclone Vayu has changed its course and will not be hitting Gujarat, according to Skymet Weather. The map released by the weather service depicts the cyclonic storm moving away from the Saurashtra coast. 

#CycloneVayu Live Updates: Very Severe Cyclone Vayu may not hit Gujarat: https://t.co/7lMHpmvpHG #CyclonevayuinGujarat #WeatherUpdate #weather #Gujaratcyclone

— SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) June 13, 2019

Visuals from Chowpatty beach in Porbandar as the sea turns violent.

#WATCH Gujarat: Visuals from Chowpatty beach in Porbandar as the sea turns violent. #CycloneVayu is very likely to cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva as a very severe cyclonic storm, today. pic.twitter.com/NnCornrMqe

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2019

Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday reviewed the preparations for Cyclone Vayu, which is expected to make landfall in Gujarat, and directed officials to ensure all possible steps for the safety of people, officials said. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has pre-positioned 39 NDRF teams, comprising about 45 rescuers each, in Gujarat and Diu and they are equipped with boats, tree-cutters and telecom equipment. As many as 34 teams of Army are also on standby. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued detailed advisories to Gujarat and Union Territory Diu requesting them to take all precautionary measures with a view to ensure that no human life is lost, damage to vital infrastructure is minimised and there is early recovery of all essential services post-cyclone landfall, a Home Ministry official said.

In view of Cyclone Vayu in Arabian Sea coupled with high tide on June 12 and 13, all beaches in Kokan region have been shut off to the public. Visuals from Bandra beach in Mumbai

Maharashtra: In view of #CycloneVayu in Arabian Sea coupled with high tide on June 12 & 13, all beaches in Kokan region have been shut off to the public. #Visuals from Bandra beach in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/fRvT2SbZGC

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2019

As cyclone 'Vayu' advances towards the Gujarat coast, Odisha government on Wednesday offered all help to the western state, which has launched a massive evacuation exercise to shift people from low-lying areas of Saurashtra and Kutch regions. Gujarat Chief Secretary J N Singh called up his Odisha counterpart A P Padhi and sought Odisha's advice on how to tackle the cyclonic storm on a war-footing, officials said. "Gujarat chief secretary had called me up and discussed the measures to be taken ahead of the landfall. We have offered all kind of help to Gujarat. However, the Gujarat chief secretary has said that they will seek further help if required keeping in view the situation," Padhi said.

The shed at the entrance of Somnath Temple, in Gir Somnath district, damaged due to strong winds.

Gujarat: The shed at the entrance of Somnath Temple, in Gir Somnath district, damaged due to strong winds. #CycloneVayu pic.twitter.com/RpFjZzXUj4

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2019

As cyclone 'Vayu' advances towards Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday advised people to follow real-time information being provided by local agencies to stay safe. "Praying for the safety and wellbeing of all those affected by Cyclone Vayu. The government and local agencies are providing real-time information, which I urge those in affected areas to closely follow," he said in a tweet.

Visuals from Veraval as strong winds hit the region, sea turns rough. According to the IMD the sea condition is phenomenal over eastcentral & adjoining northeast Arabian Sea & Gujarat coast during next 12 hours & over north Arabian Sea and Gujarat coast during 13-15 June

#WATCH Gujarat: The sea at Jaleshwar in Veraval turns turbulent. #CycloneVayu is very likely to cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva as a very severe cyclonic storm, today. More than 2.75 Lakh people in the state have been evacuated. pic.twitter.com/vmVI6Z8ci5

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2019

Food packets being prepared by various groups in Rajkot, in the light of Cyclone Vayu . The food packets will be dispatched to the cyclone affected areas of the state, as per the instructions by the govt officials.

Gujarat: Food packets being prepared by various groups in Rajkot, in the light of #CycloneVayu . The food packets will be dispatched to the cyclone affected areas of the state, as per the instructions by the govt officials. pic.twitter.com/c57aWFlIq5

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2019

The Indian Navy on Wednesday said the Western Naval Command has deployed its ships, aircraft and helicopters for rescue and relief operations and to alert the fishermen at sea about the impending Cyclone Vayu. The Navy said its diving and rescue teams and relief material have been kept on standby for rendering assistance to civil authorities. "Bricks and relief material have been embarked on board nominated ships of the (Western) Command and are ready to be deployed at short notice. "Indian Navy ships operating at sea and aircraft, helicopters on routine sorties have been directed to inform fishing vessels operating at sea and advise them to return to harbour," it said.

The railways has cancelled 15 trains and it will short terminate 16 others due to Cyclone Vayu, Western Railways said on Wednesday. The IMD said Tuesday Vayu has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and it is nearing the Gujarat coast. "Considering the alertness for Cyclone Vayu over Gujarat, the Western Railway has decided to fully cancel operation of 15 mainline trains, while 16 other mainline trains will be short terminated with partial cancellation as a precautionary measure in the cyclone prone areas. "In addition to this, various safety and security precautions are also being taken by the Western Railway for train passengers of these prone areas under the jurisdiction of WR -- Veraval, Okha, Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Bhuj and Gandhidham," the railways said. Some trains that have been cancelled are the Veraval-Amreli Passenger,  Amreli-Junagadh, Delvada-Veraval on June 12 and 13.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) said on Wednesday it has suspended vessel operations at its Tuna and Mundra Port in Gujarat for next 24 hours in the wake of cyclone Vayu hitting the state. Further, APSEZ will also continue to monitor development at Dahej and Hazira Port. "We would like to inform that the company has suspended its vessel operations at Tuna and Mundra Port today at 8.00 pm until next 24 hours," the company said in regulatory filing.

As Cyclone Vayu advances towards the Gujarat coast and is expected to make landfall on Thursday afternoon, the state government has shifted around three lakh people from low-lying areas of Saurashtra and Kutch regions, officials said on Wednesday. According to the latest weather report, the cyclone has intensified into a "very severe cyclonic storm" and changed its course slightly. Now, it would hit the Gujarat coast anywhere between Veraval in the south and Dwarka in the west Thursday afternoon.