Cyclone Vayu set to strike Gujarat, prompting evacuation of 300,000 people

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Cyclone Vayu set to strike Gujarat, prompting evacuation of 300,000 people

  • Indian authorities are evacuating nearly 300,000 people on the west coast ahead of Cyclone Vayu.
  • On 13 June, the cyclone is likely to touch Porbandar and Muhuva around Veraval and Diu region at a speed of 110-120 km per hour.
  • The Gujarat Government has announced a two-day shutdown of all schools, colleges and anganwadis across six coastal districts in Saurashtra.

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Nearly 300,000 people on India’s west coast are being evacuated ahead of Cyclone Vayu, which is currently moving at a speed of 110 km per hour in the Arabian Sea, reported Reuters.

Cyclone Vayu which brought heavy rains in Gujarat and Maharashtra, is likely to make landfall on Thursday, crossing the Gujarat coast at a speed of 135 kilometer per hour, according to the Indian Meteorological Department.

On 13 June, the cyclone is likely to touch Porbandar and Muhuva around Veraval and Diu region at a speed of 110-120 km per hour.

Heavy rainfall
The cyclone is likely to cause heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of Gujarat. A storm surge of about 1-1.5 metre over the astronomical tide is likely to inundate the low-lying coastal areas of Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Porbandar, Junagarh, Diu, Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts.

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The IMD has been issuing regular bulletins to the concerned authorities, said a Home Ministry statement.

Preparatory measures

The state government of Gujarat deployed National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescue teams to minimise the damage, if any. It is considering asking for another 10 NDRF teams from the central government. Overall, 35 teams will be made available across the coastal district. The NDRF teams, along with teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are equipped with boats, tree-cutters, telecom equipment and others.

The Border Security Force (BSF) is being deployed in Kutch, while the state is co-ordinating with the military for swift rescue and response efforts.

"All possible measures are to be taken to avoid any human casualty and preparations be kept ready to restore any damage that may be caused to infrastructure. Rescue teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Army, Coast Guard and Border Security Force (BSF) are also in readiness. The Ministry of Home Affairs is in continuous touch with the state governments and the Central agencies concerned," an official statement said.

Academic institutions closed

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The Union Home Ministry on Tuesday issued detailed advisories to Gujarat and the Union Territory of Diu, requesting them to take all precautionary measures to ensure that no human life is lost. Public messages are being sent to civilians about the eventualities via SMS and Whatsapp.

The Gujarat Government, as per Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s instructions, has announced a two-day shutdown of all schools, colleges and anganwadis across six coastal districts in Saurashtra.


(With IANS)
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