With depression building in Arabian Sea, Gujarat put on cyclone alert
Heavy rain forecast in coastal areas of Saurashtra region in next few days
With a depression building in Arabian Sea, which is likely to develop into a severe cyclonic storm, the authorities have put Gujarat on high alert.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the deep depression in the Arabian Sea is developing into a severe cyclonic storm and will cause heavy rainfall in the coastal areas of Saurashtra region in the coming days.
The government has decided to deploy National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel in coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch from Tuesday morning, owing to likely storm and heavy rain.
The government will also put the Army, the Navy and the Coast Guard on alert.
According to the IMD, heavy rain is likely on Thursday and Friday in the coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch, with winds blowing at a speed of over 110 kmph.
The government has advised fishermen against venturing into the sea in the next few days, while ports have been directed to flag a danger signal.
“A heavy rain warning has been issued for Saurashtra and Kutch on June 13 and 14 due to the depression in the Arabian Sea, which will turn into a severe cyclonic storm,” State Meteorological Department Director Jayanta Sarkar told reporters here.
On Monday, the State government held a high-level meeting, in which it decided to deploy 15 teams of the NDRF immediately in the coastal districts.
“We have alerted all District Collectors of coastal Gujarat to take immediate steps, keeping in mind the likelihood of a cyclone,” Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue, Pankaj Kumar told reporters.
“Besides, we have called a meeting of all the defence forces. We have decided to deploy 15 teams of the NDRF in the coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch from tomorrow [Wednesday] morning. We have asked the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard to remain ready to help the State,” he said, adding that the government was monitoring the situation with the Met Department and Indian Space Research Organisation.
On Monday, the depression over the south-east adjoining Lakshadweep and east-central Arabian Sea moved northwards with a speed of about 31 kmph.
“It lay centred at 8.30 a.m. on Monday near latitude 12.5N and longitude 71.0E over east-central and adjoining south-east Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area, about 240 km northwest of Aminidivi (Lakshadweep), 760 km south-southwest of Mumbai (Maharashtra) and 930 km south-southeast of Veraval (Gujarat),” a Met release stated.
It is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next six hours, a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours and a severe cyclonic storm thereafter.
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