#Cyclone Nisarga: Things You Need To Know
According to the reports the last time Mumbai was hit by the cyclone was on June 6, 1882.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD), on Monday, expected a cyclonic storm- Nisagra, emerging on a low pressure area and cross North Maharashtra and South Gujarat on June 3, 2020.
The cyclone is assumed to be less intense than the cyclone Amphan which hit West Bengal on May 20, with a face wind speed of 90-100 kmph. The wind speed might slow down to 60-70 kmh by gusting to 80 kilometres per hour, according to IMD.
Cyclone Nisarga was named by Bangladesh and it was supposedly developed over Arabian Sea a couple of days before. The storm will cross North Maharashtra and adjoining South Gujarat coast between Harihareshwar and Daman, close to Alibag (Raigad) as of today.
The Met department has also warned of one to two meters high (three to 6.5 feet) storm surges inundating low-lying areas of Maharashtra. Following which the Mumbai Police on Wednesday imposed Section 144 in the entire city from midnight to Thursday afternoon and banned people from coming to places like beaches, parks and promenades along the coastline.
Indian Coast Guard ships and planes have been deployed along the coast to warn fishermen and merchant ships to return to harbor.
An alert has been issued for Mumbai city and suburbs, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts.
According to some sources, the last “severe” cyclone Bombay experienced was nearly a century and a half ago, in 1882. However, many historical as well as scientific studies have failed to find evidence for this event.
16 NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams have been deployed in the danger-prone areas in Maharashtra, while 6 others have been kept on standby to tackle other possibilities. 17 teams have been stationed in Gujarat and other areas as well.
There will be no take-off or landings till 19:00 hrs at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
Post effects of this ‘Severe Cyclonic Storm' will start with major damage to thatched houses, with roof tops and metal sheets blowing off. Power and communication lines are assumed to destroy. Breaking of tree branches and electric poles, uprooting of large avenue trees. There would be severe damage to coastel crops.
Mumbai is already on its knees due to the horrific pandemic situation and now it is likely to see its problems compounded by Cyclone Nisarga.
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