Cyclone Vayu’s possible impact-
> 70 mm rain in southwest Gujarat over the next 48 hours
> Gale winds of 100 kmph expected along southwest coast of Gujarat
> Up to 9 metre-high waves off Veraval today
> Flash flooding, storm surge, downed trees, power outages and damage to buildings may be expected
Here are the top developments on Cyclone Vayu-
1) 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. However, the threat of surge in wind, dust storm and rainfall stays very much. "The eye of the storm will not enter Gujarat, but half of the storm, the outer peripheral part, will enter the state and affect the coastal areas," MeT's Manorama Mohanti said.
2) Pankaj Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of Revenue briefed the media about the casualties due to the storm. He said, "No casualties have been recorded due to Cyclone Vayu till now. The deaths (6 deaths in last 2 days) is not due the cyclone, rather it is due to monsoon."
3) In the latest update, the railways has cancelled 77 trains and short terminated 33 others as a precaution due to Cyclone Vayu. However, there has been no damage to any airport infrastructure or facilities so far.
4) 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.
5) Amid the alert, the daily rituals and prayers have remained unhindered at Gujarat's renowned Somnath Temple. Gujarat Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama on Thursday endorsed the decision of the Shiva temple authorities to keep the shrine open despite the alert.
6) Earlier, the cyclone was moving straight towards the Gujarat coast, but is has now slightly moved away, the IMD official said. The cyclonic storm is going to hit Porbandar in Gujarat and other parts till Kutch area, according to the official.
7) 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.
8) In the wake of the alert, the state government had earlier launched a massive evacuation exercise to shift about three lakh people from low-lying areas of Saurashtra and Kutch regions. All beaches in Maharashtra's Kokan region have been shut off for the public.
9) Operations at ports and airports, and train and bus services in the coastal districts have been suspended. Fishermen have also been warned not to venture into the sea as it has turned rough.
10) The coast guard, army, navy, air force and the Border Security Force have been put on standby.
Despite the Cyclone has changed its path still the western coast is on high alert. DIG Randeep Rana, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said, "We are still on alert’”. Meanwhile, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has sought a report over some cruise ships operating in the Mandovi river in Panaji located close to the Arabian Sea despite a warning of rough weather along the state coast due to cyclone Vayu, an official said.
Precautionary measures have been taken by the Gujarat government and over three lakh people living in low-lying areas and thatched houses in the coastal districts have been evacuated, an official said. The coast guard, army, navy, air force and the Border Security Force have been put on high alert.
Around 52 teams of the National Disaster Response Force and 11 columns (each having around 70 personnel) of the army have been deployed in the coastal districts of Gujarat. Besides, 24 army columns have been kept reserved for any emergency situation.
(With inputs from agencies)