Cyclone Vayu likely to cross Gujarat coast with wind speed of 130 kmph, IMD issues alert

‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’ alert has been issued in Gujarat and neighbouring Maharashtra. The Indian Meteorological Department on Tuesday said that, “Cyclone Vayu likely to cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around Veraval and Diu region as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speed 130-140 kmph gusting to 155 kmph during mid-night of 12th June 2019.” Interestingly, the name of this cyclone was suggested by India. News Nation had told you earlier that how cyclones are named. The World Meteorological Organisation has a detailed procedure of naming the cyclone. The Northern Indian Ocean Names are given by eight nations. India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan and Thailand send names of tropical cyclones. This rotating list decides the name of the emerging cyclones. According to the list, the cyclone has been named Vayu, suggested by India. The lists will wind up with Cyclone Amphan, whenever it comes.

#CycloneVayu likely to cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around Veraval & Diu region as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speed 130-140 kmph gusting to 155 kmph during mid-night of 12th June 2019.

— NDMA India (@ndmaindia) June 11, 2019

After the weather warning, the Gujarat government convened a high-level meeting in which it decided to deploy 15 teams of the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) immediately. On Monday, the depression over south-east adjoining Lakshadweep and east-central Arabian Sea, moved northwards with a speed of about 31 kmph. It lay centered at 8.30 am on Monday near latitude 12.5N and longitude 71.0E over east-central and adjoining south-east Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area, about 240 km northwest of Aminidivi (Lakshadweep), 760 km south-southwest of Mumbai (Maharashtra) and 930 km south-southeast of Veraval (Gujarat), a release of the MeT department said.

Meanwhile, Mumbai experienced its first pre-monsoon rains on Monday. Areas like Colaba in south Mumbai, western suburbs of Santacruz, Malad, Kandivali and Borivali along with Kurla, Ghatkopar and Vikroli also received good spells of showers, accompanied by thunder and lightning. Movement of Mumbai's life line, suburban trains, was affected near Kopar station due to some technical issues triggered by rain.

This is the second major cyclone that has hit Indian coasts in span of one month. Earlier, Cyclone Fani had ravaged Odisha. It killed 64 people last month and caused a total loss of Rs 9,336.26 crore, a senior official said. While the calamity caused a loss of Rs 6,643,63 to public properties, Rs 2,692.63 crore is required for relief measures for the affected people, he added.

(With agency inputs)