Gujarat on high alert! Cyclone Vayu to hit coast tomorrow; Thunderstorm, lightning likely today

In the wake of the alert, Gujarat is readying for the storm with the teams of state and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are taking up positions in all the coastal districts, officials said on Tuesday.

IMD has said that thunderstorm and lightning accompanied with gusty wind (40-50kmph) is very likely at isolated places in the districts of North Gujarat region. (Getty images)

Cyclone Vayu: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has put Gujarat on alert with Cyclone Vayu likely to hit the state's coast on Thursday. In the wake of the alert, Gujarat is readying for the storm with the teams of state and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are taking up positions in all the coastal districts, officials said on Tuesday. The cyclone is closing in on the Arabian Sea coast bringing heavy rains and winds sweeping across parts of the state. According to IMD's prediction cyclone Vayu is likely to hit the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around Veraval and Diu region on June 13 with a wind speed of 110-120 kmph that may touch up to 135 kmph.

#CycloneVayu : IAF C-17 aircraft lands at Jamnagar with NDRF team. The NDRF team will carry out #HADR missions in Gujarat, for the people affected by Cyclone Vayu. #savinglives pic.twitter.com/3E0YjsVzeW

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 11, 2019

Thunderstorm, lightning likely today and tomorrow For today, IMD has said that thunderstorm and lightning accompanied with gusty wind (40-50kmph) is very likely at isolated places in the districts of North Gujarat region including Banaskantha and Sabarkantha. The same could be same for tomorrow (Thursday).

IMD: It is very likely to move nearly northwards & cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar & Mahuva around Veraval & Diu region as a very severe cyclonic storm with wind speed 140-150 kmph to 165 kmph around morning of 13 June. https://t.co/3Xqr6khUAT

— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2019

Advisories issued • Union Home Minister Amit Shah is regularly reviewing the situation and Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba will conduct a review meeting on Wednesday with the Central ministries, agencies, Chief Secretaries and the advisor to Gujarat and Diu, the advisory said. • 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 in view of the cyclone "Vayu" which is likely to hit Gujarat tomorrow. • Reviewing the preparedness of the state and Central agencies, Cabinet Secretary Sinha directed that people from vulnerable areas be moved to safer places, and essential food, drinking water and medicines be stocked. • Fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea along and off Gujarat coast during 12-15 June as well as into East-central Arabian Sea and along and off Maharashtra Coast today and into the northeast Arabian Sea from June 12-13 How much are we prepared? • HM Amit Shah directed senior officers to take every possible measure to ensure that people are safely evacuated before the cyclone makes landfall. • The advisory by the Centre is aimed at minimising damage to vital infrastructure and ensuring early recovery of all essential services after the cyclone makes landfall, a Home Ministry statement said.

#CycloneVayu : Today a C-17 aircraft of #IAF got airborne from New Delhi to Vijayawada. The aircraft is planned to airlift about 160 personnel of NDRF from Vijayawada to Jamnagar to carry out the #HADR missions for the people affected by the cyclone in Gujarat. #SavingLives pic.twitter.com/V9Z2KuKJ6r

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 11, 2019

• It also advised timely evacuation of people from low-lying coastal and vulnerable areas. • People were being made aware about the eventualities through public address systems, SMS and Whatsapp messages. • The Gujarat Government, on instructions from Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, has announced a two-day shutdown of all academic institutions including schools, colleges and anganwadis across six coastal districts in Saurashtra. • NDRF has mobilised 35 teams in Gujarat and four teams in Diu in coordination with the local administration. • Rescue teams of SDRF, Army, Coast Guard, and BSF are also in the readiness. • The Ministry of Home Affairs is in continuous touch with the state governments and the Central agencies concerned. • Two companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) were being deployed in Kutch, while the state machinery is coordinating with the military for swift rescue and response efforts. • The Union Home Minister also said all control rooms should function 24X7. (With inputs from agencies)