Face of Nation : NEW DELHI:In a major relief for Gujarat, ‘very severe’ cyclone Vayu which was headed towards the state changed its course overnight on Thursday and skirted off the coast of Saurashtra towards Oman.
The cyclone is, however, likely to retain its intensity until Friday evening, after which it will start to weaken, according to the India Meteorological Department. The cyclone lay centred nearly 120km south of Porbandar at 2:30pm on Thursday, after which it crossed the edge of Saurashtra coast with wind-speed of 135-145kmph moving north-northwestwards towards Oman.
Strong winds 90-100km per hour gusting up to 110kmph hit the Saurashtra coast affecting Gir Somnath, Diu, Junagarh, Porbandar and Devbhoomi Dwarka as the cyclone moved north-northwestwards. Heavy rains continue to lash the region, uprooting trees and damaging hutments near the coast.
“The cyclone has made a small deviation, but its effect remained with strong winds and heavy rain,” said M. Rajeevan, secretary, ministry of earth sciences.
The Gujarat administration remained on alert, amid heavy rainfall warning for the coastal districts, especially Saurashtra and Kutch, where the IMD has scaled up the warning to “red” till Friday. Schools have been ordered shut in as many as 10 districts on Friday and over 300,000 people had already been evacuated.
According to the IMD’s latest forecast, gale wind speed of 120-130kmph gusting to 145kmph would persist over north Arabian Sea and Gujarat coast on Friday morning and decrease gradually. Sea conditions would, however, remain very rough until Saturday and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. Naval ships INS Chennai, Gomati and Deepak at Mumbai are ready to be deployed at a short notice, said the Western Naval Command based in Mumbai.
Also, 5,000 litres of drinking water is being sent through ships. Seven naval planes and three helicopters are on standby. Preparations have been made for community kitchens at Dwarka and Porbandar.
