Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has ordered the officials to have Odisha-like preparedness even as the deep depression over the Arabian sea that has brewed in the last couple of days has further intensified into a cyclonic storm and is likely to hit Gujarat coast on Thursday morning.
According to official sources, Gujarat Chief Secretary J.N. Singh is in touch with his Odisha counterpart for guidance and inputs about disaster preparedness.
The Ro-Ro ferry service between Ghogha and Dahej has been suspended as a precautionary measure. Cyclone warning signal no 1 has been hoisted at all the ports of Gujarat.
According to Indian Meteorological Department, "Cyclone Vayu" is likely to further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in the coming 24 hours. As per the IMD bulletin issued on Tuesday morning, it is likely to move northward and cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around Veraval and Diu region in the form of a severe cyclonic storm in the early morning of Thursday. The wind speed is likely to be 110-120 kilometers per hour. It can reach up to 135 kilometers per hour.
As a result of the cyclonic storm, coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch will receive heavy rains accompanied with winds at a speed of 110 kilometers per hour.
The chief minister reviewed the situation at a meeting in Gandhinagar, and the NDRF teams have been sent to the coastal areas.
Fishermen were already instructed on Monday not to venture into the sea and now the salt pan workers have also been asked to leave the area.
Government officers in the areas which are likely to be affected have been asked to remain on duty.
The residents have been asked to abide by the instructions from the authorities to minimise the damage. A series of instructions are being given in newspapers, television channels and radios, especially in Kutch and Saurashtra regions.
