Cyclone Vayu Live Updates: Gujarat govt on high alert; schools, colleges closed in coastal districts

Cyclone Vayu Live Updates: Just a month after Cyclone Fani killed at least 60 people along the country's eastern coast, another heavy storm, called Cyclone Vayu, is set to make landfall in the state of Gujarat in the next 24 hours. The state government has chalked out an initial plan to evacuate about 3 lakh people from the coastal areas. The India Meteorological Department said Cyclone Vayu would emerge from the Arabian Sea and enter India from Gujarat with gust speeds of nearly 135 kmph. The department has said Cyclone Vayu could draw rain clouds from over the sea, thereby causing a significant delay in the arrival of monsoon in some parts of the country. "It is very likely to move nearly northward and cross the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around Veraval and Diu region as a severe cyclonic storm with wind speed 110-120 kilometres per hour gusting to 135 kilometres per hour during the early morning of June 13," it said.

Gujarat govt on high alert

The Gujarat government, which is on high alert, deployed National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel in the coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch on Tuesday. 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. "Storm surge of height of about 1-1.5 metres above the astronomical tides likely to inundate the low-lying coastal areas of Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Porbandar, Junagarh, Diu, Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts at the time of landfall," the weather office said in the bulletin.

Evacuation preparation in full swing

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has said that the state government has sought help from the Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in ensuring a smooth evacuation process in case of major destruction. He said major tourist areas along the shore, including Dwarka, Somnath, Sasan and Kutch, have been alerted. Schools and colleges along the coastal areas of the state have also been closed.

Catch all the live updates on Cyclone Vayu on BusinessToday.In:

5:35 PM: 15 Trains cancelled in Gujarat as Cyclone Vayu inches closer to coastline.

5:05 PM:

Cyclone Vayu: NDRF mobilises 39 teams for pre-positioning in Gujarat, Daman & Diu; #DDNews correspondent C. Senthil Rajan speaks exclusively to #NDRF Team Leader Mahendra Tape stationed at Veraval Gujarat #CycloneVayu https://t.co/4eghQhoAX8

- Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) 12 June 2019

3:50 PM:

Meteorological Department says, cyclonic storm #Vayu intensifies into very severe cyclone; likely to make landfall at #Gujarat coast tomorrow morning, with wind speeds ranging upto 160 kilometers per hour; Over 3.5 lakh people being evacuated to safer areas pic.twitter.com/vZeVE4S5y5

- Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) 12 June 2019

3:05 PM:

Praying for the safety and wellbeing of all those affected by Cyclone Vayu.

The Government and local agencies are providing real-team information, which I urge those in affected areas to closely follow.

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- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 12 June 2019

3:00 PM:

The Central Government is closely monitoring the situation due to Cyclone Vayu in Gujarat and other parts of India.

I have been constantly in touch with State Governments.

NDRF and other agencies are working round the clock to provide all possible assistance.

- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 12 June 2019

2:30 PM:

#MumbaiRains to continue in view of #CycloneVayu https://t.co/bqvJXSIOh0

- SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) 12 June 2019

2:10 PM: Gujarat on alert as strong winds and heavy rainfall is expected.

Gujarat on alert as heavy rains and strong winds likely. For latest updates on #CycloneVayu, download our Android app from here: https://t.co/H5g6QJ6k8O

- SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) 12 June 2019

1:50 PM:

In view of warnings of #CycloneVayu, @WesternRly is taking spl precautions at all its stations which are situated near coasts. Gandhidham, Bhavnagar Para, Porbandar, Veraval & Okha to run 1 Special train each to evacuate people from their areas. Timings will be notified soon.

- PIB in Gujarat (@PIBAhmedabad) 12 June 2019

1:00 PM:

#CycloneVayu: C-17 aircraft of #IAF got airborne from New Delhi to Arakkonam today. Aircraft will airlift approx 152 NDRF personnel & 8 Tons of load of necessary equipment from Arakkonam to Jamnagar for #HADR mission for the people likely to be affected by the cyclone in Gujarat.

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- Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) 12 June 2019

12:45 PM:

Preparedness is the best way to fight and survive. Be prepared and Stay Indoor #CycloneVayu pic.twitter.com/z01TgiAtR5

- Varshaben Doshi (@VarshabenDoshi) 12 June 2019

12:25 PM: Cyclone Vayu is passing parallel to Mumbai coast

The severe cyclone Vayu is right now passing parallel to Mumbai coast. The cyclone won't have any severe affect but yes some part may receive heavy rainfalls. Konkan is expecting heavy to very heavy rainfalls.

12:00 PM:

#CycloneVayu UPDATE- #TEAMNDRFINDIA

12 more teams will be airlifted from #INSRajali and #Patna to serve the people of Gujarat and Diu before,during and in the aftermath of the cyclone- #NDRF4INDIA@satyaprad1 @ndmaindia @PIBHomeAffairs @IAF_MCC pic.twitter.com/37OBhzp3ew

- NDRF (@NDRFHQ) 12 June 2019

11:35 AM:

#CycloneVayu: NDRF teams from Vijayawada airlifted to Jamnagar Airport to help people of Gujarat and Diu during Cyclone Vayu pic.twitter.com/vfe3ezafK5

- Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) 12 June 2019

11:15 AM: Big worry for government

Gujarat is home to the biggest oil refineries in India, including Reliance Industries. A big worry for the government is that heavy cyclone could cause significant damage to human life as well as the states infrastructure.

The government has also asked companies to ensure that the employees working at ports are moved to safer zones. A spokesman for Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd told Reuters it was prepared to evacuate employees from its Mundra and Tuna ports if the need arises. "The disaster management plan has been put into action and all the necessary precautions are being put in place including the evacuation of staff if the need arises," the spokesperson said.

A Reliance executive told the agency that the company was prepared in case of any eventuality while adding that the cyclone was expected to weaken by the time it reaches the Jamnagar-based refinery.

Russian oil major Rosneft-controlled Nayara Energy also operates from the same region. Previous cyclones have caused significant damage to the country. About two decades ago, a super-cyclone had killed over 10,000 people in Odisha.

Manoj Sharma with agency inputs