PremiumCyclone Nisarga, a deep depression in the Arabian Sea has intensified into a cyclonic storm. It will further turn into a severe cyclonic storm by tonight and cross north Maharashtra and Gujarat coasts between Harihareshwar in Raigad district and Daman on early Wednesday morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Cyclone Nisarga would be the first cyclonic storm to impact India's financial capital during June since 1891. Mumbai is severely affected by coronavirus pandemic with nearly 40,000 cases.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation in Maharashtra and Gujarat in the wake of Cyclone Nisarga. "Praying for everyone’s well-being. I urge people to take all possible precautions and safety measures," PM Modi said.
Cyclone 'Nisarga' will make landfall along the Maharashtra coast on Wednesday with high wind speed ranging up to 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph besides heavy rainfall and storm in Mumbai and other coastal areas of the state, the Home Ministry said.
The storm is likely to impact Mumbai, Thane and other coastal districts of Maharashtra like Raigad and Palghar along with Valsad, Navsari, Surat, Bhavnagar and Bharuch districts of Gujarat and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Ten teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in parts of Maharashtra for rescue operations in view of the cyclonic storm, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said.
Nisarga cyclone warning issued in Palghar district
The district authority of Palghar in Maharashtra on Tuesday issued warning in view of 'Nisarga' cyclone, which is approaching towards the coastal regions of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Movement banned along Mumbai coastline
In view of the threat posed by impending cyclonic storm `Nisarga', movement of people along the Mumbai coastline has been prohibited from midnight to Thursday afternoon, the city police said on Tuesday.
An order under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was being issued, the police said.
10 NDRF teams deployed as cyclonic storm approaches
Ten teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed for rescue operations in view of the cyclonic storm 'Nisarga', which is likely to hit the west coast of Maharashtra on Wednesday, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Tuesday.
The impending cyclonic storm, which might turn into a 'severe cyclonic storm', could pose challenges for Maharashtra which is already battling a steep surge in coronavirus cases, during relief and rescue operations involving many peopl
Cyclone Nisarga development:
Cyclone Nisarga, the depression has already intensified into a deep depression today. It will turn into a cyclonic storm by tonight and then further turn into a severe cyclonic storm by tomorrow, said IMD. "It will be the first-ever cyclone in recorded history to hit the Maharashtra coast in June," according to Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.
Impact in Maharashtra:
The IMD has issued a red alert for Mumbai, its suburban districts, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts in view of Cyclone Nisarga. Rainfall has already begun in parts of the coastal Karnataka and Madhya Maharashtra and would increase during the next few hours. "Mumbai and Palgar, Thane, Raigad districts in Maharashtra will witness more than 20 cm rains in next 24 hours," alerted the weather department.
The Met office has warned that Mumbai will be heavily affected by Cyclone Nisarga, more that Gujarat and other neighbouring districts.
The Central Water Commission has issued flood alert for Mumbai, Palgarh, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Thane and Nasik districts of Maharashtra, Daman district of union territory of Daman and Dui, Silvassa district of Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Valsad district of Gujarat.
No venture into the sea
"We have taken all necessary measures. I appeal to fishermen not to venture out into the sea," Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has said. Due to cyclone Nisarga's influence, the east central Arabian Sea and south east Arabian Sea is currently rough. The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea till Thursday near Kerala, Lakshadweep, coastal Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
Maharashtra prepared
The Maharashtra government on Monday sounded an alert in Mumbai and neighbouring districts in view of the approaching cyclonic storm Nisarga.
Ten teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed for rescue operations in view of the 'Nisarga' cyclone. Two NDRF teams have been deployed in Palghar, three teams in Mumbai, one in Thane, two teams in Raigad and one team in Ratnagiri. "Out of the 16 NDRF units, 10 have been deployed for rescue operation during the cyclone, and 6 SDRF units are in reserve," the chief minister's office said today. The evacuation process has already started. All the people along the shoreline are being moved to relief centres.
A 24x7 control room has been opened and the army, navy and air force and IMD have been instructed to ensure coordination.
Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray through video conference and took stock of the state’s preparedness to tackle any eventuality.
The IMD also predicted that the national capital and some areas of Uttar Pradesh are likely to receive rainfall today. It also stated that the thunderstorm would accompany downpour in these regions.
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