The Maharashtra government on Wednesday advised educational institutions to close down school and colleges in view of the impending storm.
Railways have been asked to run as many suburban trains as possible from Wednesday afternoon to allow employees to reach their homes early. Employees working far away from their offices have been advised to stay on leave, chief secretary Johny Joseph said.
The cyclonic storm 'Phyan' will hit South Gujarat and North Maharashtra by late Wednesday evening following a deep depression in the South East and adjoining Central Arabian Sea and fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea, the weather office said.
The depression, which developed on Tuesday, intensified into a cyclone early Wednesday morning and the system is likely to move North northeastwards and cross South Gujarat and North Maharashtra coast between Alibag (Maharashtra) and Valsad (Gujarat) by late this evening or night, the latest bulletin from the weather office said.
The sea will be very rough along and off Maharashtra and South Gujarat Coast and fishermen have been warned against venturing along the Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat coasts, it said.
Cyclonic storm over East Central Arabian Sea moved Northwards and lay centred at 0530 hours today over same area near latitude 16.0 degree North and longitude 71.5 degree East about 250 kilometers West northwest of Goa and 350 kms South southwest of Mumbai and 620 kms South southwest of Surat in Gujarat.
Squally winds reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph are likely along and off Maharashtra and South Gujarat coast during, Met Office said.
Under the influence of the deep depression, rainfall was experienced in most parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday, with heavy to very heavy showers at few places including the metropolis and neighbouring Thane district.
Deputy Director General, Met Dept, Mumbai said the cyclone may not directly hit Mumbai... but the impact of the severe weather has already started in the city.
In the afternoon perhaps, it will be more severe, disturbed weather will be there like heavy rains, storms and sea will become very rough".
"As far as Mumbai and coastal areas are concerned, we have informed the state government, disaster management authority, BMC to take all precautions for the safety of life and property. We have advised people in low-lying areas to take shelter". Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is likely in Konkan and Goa and Central Maharashtra, the Met Office bulletin added.
Ahmedabad: As many as 400 fishermen from Gujarat are stranded in the Arabian Sea, 40 nautical miles of Daman coast in South Gujarat, due to the cyclonic storm advancing towards the state.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, meanwhile, called a review meeting of the state Disaster Management Authority, the revenue department and district administration in view of the impending cyclone and directed the district administration to keep an eye on the changing weather and take appropriate measures.
Daman and Diu Fisheries department official Abhilasha Agarwal said, "Around 400 fishermen who had ventured into the sea in about 60 boats are stranded. These fishermen had left the coast two days ago before the cyclone warning was issued, so they were not aware weather situation."
According to weather office, cyclonic storm 'Phyan' is expected to hit South Gujarat and North Maharashtra by late this evening following a deep depression formed in the South East and adjoining Central Arabian Sea.
Rains and strong winds blowing at 30-35 kmph were experienced in the coastal districts of Surat, Valsad and Bhavnagar this morning, with thick clouds in many parts of the state.
"We sent a message to the fishermen with the help of Indian Coast Guard. They will be trying to reach them using helicopters," Agarwal said.
Meanwhile, in Bhavnagar a level three warning has been issued by the district administration asking the fishermen to stay away from the sea for the next 48 hours.
The district administration has also been asked to keep watch on Mahuva taluka which falls on the cyclone path. Work has been stopped at the Alang ship-breaking yard as a precautionary measure.
The weather department has predicted rainfall at most places with scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall which is likely to commence this evening in Valsad, Surat Bharuch, Narmada, Navsari, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
They said that wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph and gusting to 75 kmph is likely to commence off the South Gujarat coast. All ports along South Gujarat Coast have been asked to minimise their activities by the weather department. PTI
0 comments:
Post a Comment