GJ-CYCLONE-LD RAIN

On heavy rainfall alert,Guj deploys NDRF in coastal Saurashtra
    Ahmedabad, Jun 10 (PTI) Gujarat has been put on alert
following IMD prediction of the deep depression in the Arabian
Sea developing into a severe cyclonic storm and causing heavy
rainfall in the coastal areas in the coming days, a senior
official said Monday.
    With the warning of a heavy rainfall in parts of
Gujarat, the state government has decided to deploy NDRF
personnel in coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch from
Tuesday morning.
    The government will also put the Army, the Navy and
the Coast Guard on alert.
    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a
warning of heavy rains with winds blowing at the speed of over
110 kms on June 13 and 14 in coastal areas of Saurashtra and
Kutch.
    It has also 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
andKutch 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.
    After the weather warning, the government convened a
high-level meeting in which it decided to deploy 15 teams of
the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) immediately.
    "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 defense
forces. We 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," he said,
adding that the government is monitoring the situation along
with the MeT department and ISRO.
    On Monday, the depression over south-east adjoining
Lakshadweep and east-central Arabian Sea, moved northwards
with a speed of about 31 kmph.
    "It lay centred at 8.30 am 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, into a cyclonic storm
during the subsequent 24 hours, and into a severe cyclonic
storm thereafter.
    It is likely to move north-northwestwards during the
next 72 hours, it said.
    "It is very likely to cause an adverse impact in terms
of wind and rainfall over Saurashtra and Kutch, mainly on June
13 and 14," the release stated.
    It is very likely to intensify further into a deep
depression during the next six hours, into a cyclonic storm
during the subsequent 24 hours and into a severe cyclonic
storm thereafter. It is likely to move north-northwestwards
during the next 72 hours, it said.
    "It is very likely to cause an adverse impact in terms
of wind and rainfall over Saurashtra and Kutch, mainly on June
13 and 14," the release said.
    Gujarat is at present reeling under severe heat wave
as the maximum temperatures in major cities, including
Ahmedabad, hovering over 43 degrees Celsius since the last
week of May.
    Sarkar said the severe cyclonic storm is likely to
cause heavy rains and winds in the coastal districts of
Saurashtra, like Bhavnagar, Amreli, Junagadh, Jamangar,
Porbandar, Dwarka and also Kutch.
    The setting of monsoon, which usually happens around
June 15, will be further delayed as the cyclonic storm could
disturb its advancement.
    The monsoon was anyway expected to be delayed by a
week due to its late arrival in Kerala, said another official.
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