In view of the approaching cyclonic storm Nisarg which is likely to cross the south Gujarat Coast by today afternoon, the evacuation of people from low lying areas to safer locations is underway.
MET department has predicated extremely heavy rainfall with gusty winds in parts of South Gujarat coastal districts today. AIR correspondent reports that light to moderate rains with strong winds were reported in the coastal areas yesterday in wake of Cyclone Nisarg.
Heavy rainfall was reported at isolated places in coastal districts of Saurashtra mainly Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli yesterday. Coastal districts of South Gujarat also reported light to moderate showers with strong winds.
The ports in the state are flagging warning No 2 signals.
Relief Commissioner Harshad Patel said the state government is fully equipped to tackle the calamity. The shifting of over 34 thousand people living in low lying areas of eight coastal districts including Surat, Navsari, Valsad and Bharuch to safer locations is underway, so far over 16 thousand have been moved to shelter homes.
In view of Covid 19, special precautions such as the use of mask, PPE suits, sanitiser are being taken. Around 265 shelter homes have been set up to accommodate the evacuated people.
Five more teams of NDRF were airlifted yesterday evening from Bhatinda. At present 18 teams of NDRF and 6 teams of SDRF have been deputed in the state.
Ahead of the expected landfall of cyclone ‘Nisarga’ in Alibaug in Maharashtra’s Raigad district today afternoon, Mumbai and its metropolitan areas receiving rainfall since last evening, which intensified later throughout the night. The IMD has predicted moderate rainfall in most parts of the metropolis and heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated places over the next 24 hours.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has urged people living in coastal areas of the state to remain indoors for the next two days. Addressing the people yesterday through Facebook Live, Mr. Thackeray said cyclone Nisarg is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and hit Alibaug with a wind speed of about 100-125 kmph. He informed that fifteen teams of National Disaster Response Force and four teams of State Disaster Response Force have been deployed to conduct evacuations and necessary relief and rehabilitation measures.
The Chief Minister said the district authorities, along with the Navy are on high and will be on their toes to minimize the damage. He said everyone must adhere to advisories issued by local authorities and rely on s being issued by All India Radio and Doordarshan.
In view of the threat posed by impending cyclonic storm Nisarg’, Mumbai Police have issued an order, prohibiting movement of people along the Mumbai coastline from midnight to Thursday afternoon. With the cyclone expected to make landfall at Alibaug in Raigad district, more than 3,500 people from fishermen colonies and temporary houses have been evacuated to safer structures like schools, community halls and government buildings.
In Palghar, all chemical units besides industrial and commercial establishments have been asked to remain shut and prohibitory orders have been issued to fishermen not to venture into the sea till Thursday.
In view of this cyclone, some Mumbai bound trains have been rescheduled. Preventive checks are in place at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, with generator sets to provide uninterrupted power and water pumps to clear water logging, if any, have also been positioned across the airport.
Food and beverage counters will be operational 24/7, while a dedicated team has been placed on standby to assist in this wary situation. Special precautions have been taken for smaller and lighter air crafts as they are vulnerable to strong winds.
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