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Gujarat is bracing up for a cyclonic storm-- named Vayu-- that is likely to make a landfall in Saurashtra in early hours of Thursday.
“As per the IMD predictions, the landfall of the cyclone is likely on Thursday morning between Veraval and Diu in the Saurashtra region. The deployment of the NDRF rescue teams has already begun and we have asked for additional 10 NDRF teams from the Centre. A total of 35 NDRF teams will be made available by Wednesday at districts likely to be affected,” said Pankaj Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue Department, Gujarat, on Tuesday.
High alert
The State has been put on alert after the prediction of heavy rainfall and cyclonic storm. The NDRF teams equipped with boats, tree-cutters and telecom equipment have taken positions.
Additionally, two companies from the BSF will be deployed in Kutch, while 11 teams from State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) will also be put into action. Also, fire departments in Surat, Ahmedabad and Rajkot have been put on a stand-by mode to reach out to any emergencies. The State administration is also coordinating with military for swift rescue and response requirements.
The State government has declared a two-day shutdown of all academic institutions across six districts in Saurashtra and Kutch.
Cyclone Vayu is likely to cause heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of Gujarat and storm surges of about 1-1.5 metres above the astronomical tides and is likely to inundate low-lying coastal areas of Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Porbandar, Junagarh, Diu, Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts at the time of landfall.
As per the latest update from the IMD, cyclone Vayu is likely to move Northwards and cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around Veraval and Diu region with wind speed of 110-120 kmph, gusting to 135 kmph.
As a precautionary measure, the Ro-Ro ferry service, operated between Ghogha in Saurashtra and Dahej in South Gujarat, has been suspended temporarily from 8.00 pm on Tuesday till 8.00 pm on Thursday.
The operator, Indigo Seaways Pvt Ltd, issued a statement saying “Ro-RO ferry service is likely to resume operations from Dahej on June 13, after reviewing cyclone’s actual position”. Sunaina Tomar, Principal Secretary, Ports and Transport, Gujarat, said a disaster management plan has been activated at all the ports in the State and cargo operations have been temporarily suspended . The administration has advised fishermen against venturing into the sea for the next few days.
The cyclonic storm is likely to delay the monsoon onset in the State.
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