New Delhi: Maharashtra, which is already besieged by the Coronavirus crisis, is staring at yet another looming crisis – Cyclone Nisarga. The cyclonic storm is likely to hit Mumbai along with several districts of Maharashtra with a speed of 100-120 KMPH and Gujarat on June 3.
The deep depression in Arabian Sea has officially turned into Cyclone Nisarga and is likely to form into a severe cyclone in the next 12 hours. The cyclone currently is over 430 km away from Mumbai.
Cyclone to make landfall near Alibaug
#CycloneNisarga likely to make landfall near Alibaug tomorrow. At the time of landfall, wind speed is expected to be 100kmph. Palghar, Pune, Thane, Mumbai, Raigad, Dhule and Nandurbar, Nashik expected to receive heavy rainfall tomorrow: Dr Anupam Kashyapi, IMD, Pune pic.twitter.com/QDSZlt7Mkd
— ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2020
Dr Anupam Kashyapi, IMD, Pune, said that Cyclone Nisarga likely to make landfall near Alibaug tomorrow.
He added, “Palghar, Pune, Thane, Mumbai, Raigad, Dhule and Nandurbar, Nashik expected to receive heavy rainfall tomorrow.”
Cyclone Nisarga is likely to cross north Maharashtra and adjoining south Gujarat coasts, between Harihareshwar and Daman.
The severe cyclonic storm is expected to bring with it winds of a maximum sustained speed of 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph.
Maha gears up for Cyclone Nisarga
Elaborating about the government’s preparedness for the approaching cyclonic storm, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) tweeted that an alert has been issued for Mumbai city and suburbs, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts.
It also said precautions will be taken during relief work given the prevalence of COVID-19.
“Out of the 16 NDRF units, 10 have been deployed for rescue operation during the cyclone, and 6 SDRF units are in reserve,” the CMO said in a graphic shared on Twitter.
Preparedness for #NisargaCyclone pic.twitter.com/n9G6WriWQU
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) June 2, 2020
Thackerays office said those staying in kuccha houses are being moved to safer places. It said non-COVID hospitals are being made available.
Heavy rains warning in Maharashtra and Gujarat
Coast Guard ship’s and Aircraft continue to advice and relay weather warning to the fishermen and merchant vessels out at sea off the coast of Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat. Besides weather cautioning, the Coast Guard ship’s are also engaged in shepherding the fishing boats to safety.
In Gujarat, the deep depression formed in the eastern Arabian sea is moving northwards and is located at 670 kilometres from Surat at present. It is expected to hit the south Gujarat coast by tomorrow. Heavy downpour accompanied by gusty winds is expected in coastal districts of south Gujarat in two days.
State officials said, all the precautionary measures are kept in place and more than 100 coastal villages of South Gujarat and Saurashtra have been kept on high while the evacuation process is also underway in some parts of the state.
