IMD: Cyclone ‘Vayu’ may hit Gujarat coast tomorrow

New Delhi

Cyclone ‘Vayu’ intensified into a severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday and is likely to hit the Gujarat coast on June 13 morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

“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 kmph gusting to 135 kmph during early morning of June 13,” it said.

In its forecast for June 13, the IMD said, “Gale wind speed of the order of 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph very likely over north Arabian Sea and Gujarat coast in morning hours and decrease gradually thereafter. It is very likely to be 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph over north Maharashtra coasts and northern parts of east central Arabian Sea.”

The IMD has issued a warning of heavy rains and high winds at a speed of over 110 kmph on June 13 and 14 in the coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch. The Gujarat government is on high alert. It deployed National Disaster Response Force personnel in the coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch on Tuesday.

It has advised fishermen against venturing into the sea in the next few days, while ports have been directed to flag a danger signal. — PTI

Shah reviews preparations

New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday held a review meeting on the preparations for cyclone Vayu. This was followed up by a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a detailed advisory to the Gujarat Government and UT administration of Diu asking them to “take all precautionary measures to ensure that no human life is lost and damage to infrastructure is minimised”. tns

4 aboard train die due to heat

Lucknow: The rising mercury in Uttar Pradesh took its toll on Monday when four senior citizens were found dead, reportedly due to severe heat wave conditions, inside the Kerala Express sleeper coach. The four passengers, including a woman, were travelling from Agra Cantonment to Coimbatore. While three were found dead when the train reached Jhansi, the fourth passenger was rushed to a hospital in a critical condition where he later died. TNS