Cyclone Vayu: PM Modi urges people to stay safe, says 'Centre constantly monitoring situation'

As cyclone 'Vayu' advances towards Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday advised people to follow real-time information being provided by local agencies to stay safe.

PM Narendra Modi. PTI

NEW DELHI: As cyclone 'Vayu' advances towards Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday advised people to follow real-time information being provided by local agencies to stay safe. "Praying for the safety and wellbeing of all those affected by Cyclone Vayu. The government and local agencies are providing real-time information, which I urge those in affected areas to closely follow," he said in a tweet. "Cyclone Vayu has turned into a very severe cyclonic storm. It would cause gusty winds to blow at a speed of 145 kmph to 170 kmph by Thursday morning," the IMD said.

The Central Government is closely monitoring the situation due to Cyclone Vayu in Gujarat and other parts of India. I have been constantly in touch with State Governments. NDRF and other agencies are working round the clock to provide all possible assistance.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2019

Praying for the safety and wellbeing of all those affected by Cyclone Vayu. The Government and local agencies are providing real-team information, which I urge those in affected areas to closely follow.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2019

Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) started landing in Gujarat with the help of the Indian Air Force to undertake preventive evacuation of people living on the west coast, an IAF official said. Because of the cyclonic storm, the Arabian Sea has turned turbulent and bigger waves are advancing towards coastal areas, the IMD said. Also, the Navy has kept itself ready to respond to any developing situation expeditiously. According to a statement, the Western Naval Command, Mumbai is ready with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) bricks, and relief material has already been embarked on board nominated ships, which are ready to be deployed at short notice. Naval ships operating at sea, and aircraft and helicopters on routine sorties have been directed to inform fishing vessels and advise them to return to the harbour. Meanwhile, a C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force had reached Jamnagar in Gujarat with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team. The Navy has kept its diving and rescue teams and relief material, medical teams and facilities at Indian Naval Hospital Asvini at Mumbai on standby for rendering assistance to civil authorities, as required. P8I and IL aircraft have been kept ready to undertake search and rescue missions while the Headquarters, Offshore Defence and Advisory Group has also issued an advisory on cyclone 'Vayu' to all offshore platforms.