Cyclone Vayu changes course, may veer off Gujarat coast
13 Jun 2019
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The very severe cyclone Vayu is seen to have moved away from its projected path from its bearing over the East-Central Arabian Sea and if the westward shift continues it may avoid a landfall over the South Gujarat coast, according to latest forecasts by India Met Department (IMD).
According to the IMD, the cyclonic storm lay about 150 km south-southwest of Diu, 110 km southwest of Veraval (Gujarat) and 150 km nearly south of Porbandar (Gujarat) today and could skirt the Saurashta coast.
“The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Vayu’ over Eastcentral and adjoining Northeast Arabian Sea moved north-northwestwards with a speed of about 11 kmph in last six hours and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of today, 13 June 2019, near latitude 20.3°N and longitude 69.5°E over northeast and adjoining eastcentral Arabian Sea, about 150 km south-southwest of Diu, 110 km southwest of Veraval (Gujarat) and 150 km nearly south of Porbandar (Gujarat).
“It is very likely to move north-northwestwards for some time and then northwestwards skirting the Saurashtra coast affecting Gir Somnath, Diu, Junagarh, Porbandar and Devbhoomi Dwarka with wind speed 135-145 kmph gusting to 160 kmph from afternoon of 13 June 2019,” the IMD stated in a release.
A storm tracker of the Climate Prediction Centre of the US National Weather Service had said the cyclonic storm may skirt the Gujarat coast and move along the Karachi-Southern Pakistan coast towards Oman.
IMD has forecast widespread rainfall with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places in the coastal districts of Saurashtra and widespread rainfall with heavy to very heavy falls at few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places in the coastal districts of Saurashtra.
Gale wind speed of the order of 135-145 kmph gusting to 160 kmph very likely over north Arabian Sea and Gujarat coast, IMD said, adding that it is very likely to be 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph over north Maharashtra coasts and northern parts of eastcentral Arabian Sea.
On Friday, IMD said, gale wind speed of the order of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph is very likely over north Arabian Sea and Gujarat coast in morning hours, decreasing gradually thereafter. It is very likely to be 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph over northern parts of eastcentral Arabian Sea, it added.
By Saturday, gale wind speed may fall to levels of 100-110 kmph gusting to 125 kmph over north Arabian Sea and Gujarat coast till evening and decrease gradually thereafter.
The sea condition is very likely to be very rough to high along and off north Maharashtra Coast today (13 June) and will remain phenomenal over north Arabian Sea and Gujarat coast till Saturday (15 June) and over northern parts of eastcentral Arabian Sea during next 12 hours, it said.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into north Arabian Sea and along and off Gujarat coast till 15 and over Eastcentral Arabian Sea and along and off Maharashtra Coast on 13 June 2019.
IMD has forecast likely damage and action suggested for Gir Somnath, Diu, Junagarh, Porbandar and Devbhoomi Dwarka.
Total destruction of thatched houses is likely while Kutcha houses may suffer extensive damage and some damage is likely to pucca houses as well, IMD said. Besides potential threat from flying objects, the cyclonic storm could bend or uprooting power and communication poles, it said.
It has suggested regulation of road and rail traffic, total suspension of fishing operations, evacuation from low lying areas, coastal hutments, urban slums and people staying in unsafe house to safer places. People in affected areas have been asked to remain indoors.
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