Cyclone Vayu changes course overnight

Cyclone Vayu which had intensified into a "very severe" cyclonic storm has changed its course slightly and will most likely not cross the Gujarat coast, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed earlier on Thursday.

Earlier, the weather department has announced that Cyclone Vayu was most likely to make landfall on the state's coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around Veraval and Diu region with a wind speed 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph today afternoon.

However, the IMD has advised not to make relaxation in preparedness as the system will still hit Porbandar even if the eye of the cyclone does not hit. The extent of the cyclone is over 900 km.

The cyclonic storm will skirt along Saurashtra coast this afternoon with a wind speed 135-160 kmph bringing in heavy rains for coastal districts of Diu, Gir Somnath, Junagarh, Porbandar, and Dwarka.

Schools and colleges are shut in 10 coastal areas since Wednesday, and the Gujarat State Transport Service suspended its routine services to the areas that are likely to be affected.

The Western Railway has cancelled 35 mainline trains and more than 25 mainline trains have been short-terminated with partial cancellation as a precautionary measure in the areas likely to be affected by Cyclone Vayu.

Three special trains have been pressed into service for evacuation.

Gujarat and Diu Administration have already evacuated about 3 lakh people from the identified vulnerable areas.

The NDRF, Coast Guard and the Indian Navy have been put on standby and are on high alert.

39 NDRF teams are being pre-positioned in Gujarat and Diu for helping the governments in evacuation, search, rescue and relief operations. In addition, 34 teams of Army are also put on standby.

The fisherfolk have been advised not to venture into sea along and off the Gujarat coast during June 12-15. Fishermen have been asked not to venture into East-central Arabian Sea and along and off the Maharashtra Coast on June 12, and the northeast Arabian Sea on June 12-13.

Copyright: The Statesman/ Asia News Network