'Nilofar' turns into severe cyclone; Gujarat on alert

The cyclonic storm 'Nilofar', which originated in the Arabian Sea, has now intensified and is likely to make a landfall on October 31 near Naliya village in Kutch district, the Meteorological Department said today. 'Nilofar' has intensified into a 'very severe cyclonic storm' and is expected to bring heavy rains in coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch accompanied by high speed wind.

Officials said Gujarat administration is bracing to meet any challenge arising out of the cyclone, the second one to hit India this month after 'Hudhud', which caused large-scale devastation in coastal Andhra Pradesh. "The severe cyclonic storm 'Nilofar' lying over west- central Arabian Sea has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm. It is currently positioned in west-central Arabian Sea, about 1170km south-west of Naliya village, 1230 km south- southwest of Kutch and 880km east-southeast of Oman," the Department said.

"It would initially move north-northwestwards during the next 24 hours and then recurve northwestwards and cross Gujarat and adjoining Pakistan coast around Naliya by 31st October morning. However as the system would come closer to Gujarat coast, it would weaken and cross the coast as severe cyclonic storm," it added.

Looking at the situation, the Met has told authorities to hoist distant warning signal No 2 on all ports. "Due to the cyclone, we are expecting bad weather on 30th and 31st of October. There will be heavy rains in coastal region of Saurashtra and Kutch on these days. Sea will be rough to very rough. Thus, we have issued cyclone alert to the State Government," said Manorama Mohanty, Director, Ahmedabad Meteorological Centre.