The India Meteorological Department (IMD), which issued an alert and has warned fishermen against venturing into the seas as coastal areas are likely to experience strong winds
Destructive Cyclone Ockhi is on the way to Gujarat and may likely make a landfall in Surat on Tuesday midnight. After crossing Lakshadweep on Sunday, it is moving towards north and is expected to enter state in the next 24 hours, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which issued an alert and has warned fishermen against venturing into the seas as coastal areas are likely to experience strong winds.
A bulletin issued by the IMD stated, “The very severe cyclonic storm Ockhi over the east-central Arabian Sea moved further north-northeastwards with a speed of 13 kmph during the past six hours and lay centered over east-central Arabian Sea about 590 km southwest of Mumbai and 770 km south-southwest of Surat on Monday. It is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards, weaken gradually and cross south Gujarat and adjoining north Maharashtra coasts near Surat as a deep depression by the night of tomorrow, December 5.”
After the IMD warning, the state government has been keeping a close track on Ockhi’s movement and taking necessary steps to prevent any major damage. An emergency meeting was headed by Chief Secretary J N Singh, taking stock of the disaster management groups’ preparedness in the event of a cyclone. Though the cyclone’s intensity has decreased, the departments have been asked to remain on alert to tackle any situation.
Pankaj Kumar, principal secretary of the revenue department, said cyclone Ockhi is likely to cross south Gujarat near Surat by December 5. “We are continuously monitoring it through consultation with the IMD. Control rooms have been set up at the district and taluka levels. People have been advised to remain alerted. We have called back around 10,000 of fishermen from the sea,” said Kumar.
“In coastal areas, we have asked authorities concerned to take precautionary measures. In city areas, we have to make sure that electric polls, transformers and tall structures are taken care of and, in case of any necessity, we will cut off power supply and clear road blockages,” Kumar noted, adding that there was no need to be scared, people just need to remain alert.
Though Ahmedabad is not expected to see any impact, city authorities have initiated some preventive steps. “We have activated our control room at Paldi and zonal control room. We have pur fire system at standby in case of necessity,” said Mukesh Kumar, municipal commissioner.
The Gujarat government issued instructions to district magistrates, asking them to take adequate precautionary measures. Two NDRF teams have been put on alert and deployed at Surat and Navsari.
HEAVY RAINFALL
Light to moderate rainfall is very likely at a few places over Saurashtra and south Gujarat region on 4th December. Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy rainfall at isolated places is very likely over Saurashtra and south Gujarat region on December 5 (Valsad, Surat, Navsari, Bharuch, Dang, Tapi, Amreli, Gir- Somnath, Bhavnagar, Diu, Daman, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli districts) and light to moderate rainfall over Gujarat region at many places on December 6.
SEA CONDITION
Sea condition would be rough to very rough along & off north Maharashtra and South Gujarat coasts from today, 4th night to 6th December 2017 morning. (iii) Damage Expected over south Gujarat (Valsad, Surat, Navsari, Bharuch, Dang, Tapi, Amreli, Gir- Somnath, Bhavnagar districts),
Action suggested: South Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts: Fishermen are advised not to venture into the Sea along & off South Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts from 4th December to 6th morning.
FERRY SERVICE SUSPENDED
With the onset of Cyclone Ockhi, Gujarat Maritime Board has suspended operation of Ghogha-Dahej Ro-Ro Ferry service till December 5. The officials will meet on Tuesday evening and will decide whether to revoke suspension on the service on December 6 or not, after checking the situation.
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