Cyclone Vayu, which developed from a deep depression off the coast of Lakshadweep on late Monday night, is now heading towards Saurashtra in Gujarat and is expected to intensify into a 'very severe storm' by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.
Though, the cyclone is unlikely to affect Mumbai heavily except that it will bring moderate spells of rainfall over the next two days.
As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), “Cyclone Vayu is expected to hit the coast of Gujarat on Thursday morning, after bringing widespread rain in the western coast of the country. The storm is also expected to pack winds up to 135 kilometres per hour on Thursday.
Advise for fishermen:
Adding to it, the IMD has issued an Orange alert for Cyclone Vayu. Whereas, the weather forecast agency doesn't expect the storm to cause damage on land. It has advised fisher-folk in Lakshadweep, Kerala and Karnataka for not venturing into the sea till 13 June. Ports are also directed to flag a danger signal.
The storm, presently around 540 kilometres south-southwest from Mumbai can move northwards as it gradually intensifies. IMD said, “Cyclone Vayu is likely to cross the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around the Veeraval and Diu region.”
Steps Taken by Gujarat Government:
The Gujarat government has deployed 15 teams of NDRF personnel in Saurashtra and Kutch from Tuesday morning. The government is also likely to keep the Army, the Navy and the Coast Guard on standby, as per PTI reports.
According to Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue, Pankaj Kumar, "We have alerted all district collectors of coastal Gujarat to take immediate steps keeping in mind the likelihood of a cyclone."
He further added, "Apart from it, we have called a meeting of all the defense forces and have decided to deploy 15 teams of NDRF in coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch from tomorrow morning. We have asked the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard to remain ready to help the state in any untoward situation. The government is also monitoring the situation along with the MeT department and ISRO.”
The IMD stated that the severe cyclonic storm can cause heavy rains and winds in the coastal districts of Saurashtra, like Bhavnagar, Amreli, Junagadh, Jamangar, Porbandar, Dwarka and Kutch.
The coming up of Cyclone Vaayu has brought the likelihood of much-needed respite from the intense heat wave that has gripped many parts of the country over the last month.
However, according to few reports by IMD, Cyclone Vaayu might result in delaying the onset of monsoon in the western regions of the country.
D Sivananda Pai, head of the IMD's long-range forecasting said, "Progress of the monsoon seems unlikely till 15-16 June because the cyclone will drag moisture away. It may move a bit through northeast India but major progress isn't expected in that region too."
