Gandhinagar: In a great relief, cyclone Vayu is not going to make landfall at Gujarat coast. According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Mumbai office, the extent of cyclone is over 900 km. While eye (center portion) of cyclone may or may not hit Saurashtra coast, the system (periphery portion) will still hit. Accompanying risk factors such as wind/storm surge and rainfall, all 3 stay very much threat factors. Hence preparedness must not be relaxed.

IMD nationally said, The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Vayu’ lies near latitude 20.0°N and longitude 69.6°E over Eastcentral & adjoining Northeast Arabian Sea, 130 km southwest of Veraval (Gujarat) and 180 km nearly south of Porbandar (Gujarat). It is very likely to move north-northwestwards for some time and then northwestwards skirting the Saurashtra coast affecting GirSomnath, Diu, Junagarh, Porbandar and Devbhoomi Dwarka with wind speed 135-145 kmph gusting to 160 kmph from afternoon of 13th June 2019.

Pankaj Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of Revenue department, Government of Gujarat who is heading the operations at State Emergency Centre in Gandhinagar said, IMD has informed that Vayu cyclone has changed the course and it will not make land fall on Gujarat coast. It may however cause heavy wind and rain. So stand by mode continues.

He said, Governments alertness for Cyclone Vayu continues with same intensity. Persons shifted to shelter homes to stay there. People should continue to stay in safe areas. Their preparedness to continue at same level . No movements in Coastal areas. We continue to be Alert.

According to Manorama Mohanty, Scientist in Gujarat office of IMD, the speed of Vayu cyclone is down to 130-145 km per hour with gusting at 160. Vayu according to IMD Gujarat official was situated 130 km South West of Veraval town the district headquarters of Gir Somnath. IMD official said it will move North-North West and later in North West direction and hit(touch) the coast in the afternoon. Coastal Dwarka, Junagadh, Diu, Porbandar, Gir Somnath will be mainly affected with heavy to very heavy and at isolated places extremely heavy rains. Other districts of Saurashtra also will get rainfall. There shall be rainfall at places in South Gujarat too while North Gujarat will have cloudy sky and lightening. The effect will continue till June 15. Sea will continue to be rough till then.

DeshGujarat