Gujarat on high alert after Cyclone Nilofar turns into very severe storm

Ahmedabad: The cyclonic storm ‘Nilofar’, which originated in the Arabian Sea, has now intensified and is likely to make a landfall on 31 October near Naliya village in Kutch district, the Meteorological Department said on Monday. [caption id=“attachment_1775243” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] ‘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 Number 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. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Anandi Patel has asked the state administration to be prepared for any eventuality in the wake of ‘Nilofar’ and take precautionary steps. She said the Kutch region is likely to be severely hit by the cyclone. “The cyclone will affect Kutch the most, especially Naliya. There will be heavy rains and gushing winds. We are expecting more damage in and around Naliya,” said Patel in an advisory to the administration. The Chief Minister has asked authorities in all the coastal districts to remain alert and keep control rooms open. Further, she has asked respective authorities not to grant leave to any officer or employee. The government employees on leave have been asked to report for duty, said an official release. State Fisheries Department has asked fishermen not to venture into the sea. PTI