While the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that very severe cyclone storm Niofar will weaken to a cyclonic storm at landfall on November 1, authorities in Gujarat are taking no chances with the preparations.
Starting today, an estimated 30,000 people along coastal areas will be moved to safer places in Kutch district of Gujarat. The evacuation will be carried out in tehsils of Abdasa (Naliya), Anjar, Bhachau, Bhuj, Gandhidham, Mandvi, Mundra and Nakhatrana.
Cyclone Nilofar is likely to have a landfall near Naliya village of Kutch district by November 1 afternoon against the earlier prediction of October 31.
As per the latest IMD bulletin, Nilofar lay centered at 05:30 am IST over westcentral Arabian Sea about 900 km southwest of Naliya, 910 km southwest of Karachi in Pakistan.
“It would move north-northeastwards during next 12 hours and then northeastwards and cross north Gujarat and adjoining Pakistan coast around Naliya by November 1 forenoon. However, as the system would come closer to Gujarat coast, it would weaken and cross the coast as a cyclonic storm,” the IMD said.
“Under the influence of this system, rainfall at most places would commence along coastal districts of Saurashtra and Kutch with isolated heavy to very heavy falls from October 31 night. Squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph would commence along and off Gujarat coast from October 31 night and would become 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph at the time of landfall,” it added.
The National Disaster Response Force has deployed its teams in vulnerable areas of Gujarat to deal with cyclonic storm Nilofar. NDRF has pre-positioned seven rescue and relief teams at Gandhidam, Dwarka, Porbandar, Veeraval and Rajkot in Gujarat.
Two rescue teams have also been pre-positioned at Bhuj. Nine NDRF teams are also on standby and awaiting deployment instructions.
