Cyclone Vayu is expected to make landfall in Gujarat on Thursday with the NDRF swinging into action to brace up for the impending cyclonic storm. Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday reviewed the preparations, and directed officials to ensure all possible steps for the safety of people. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued detailed advisories to Gujarat and Union Territory Diu requesting them to take all precautionary measures with a view to ensure that no human life is lost, damage to vital infrastructure is minimised and there is early recovery of all essential services post-cyclone landfall.
Gujarat and Diu authorities have planned to evacuate about three lakh people from identified vulnerable areas starting Wednesday morning. The evacuated people will be shifted to around 700 cyclone and relief shelters.
Here is everything you need to know about Cyclone Vayu:
- A deep depression over the Arabian Sea which brewed over the past two days has intensified into a cyclonic storm which we are calling ‘Vayu’.
- It is expected to hit the coast of Gujarat in the early hours of June 13.
- Cyclone Vayu is likely to have wind speed as high as 135 kmph.
- The cyclone is expected to hit Gujarat between Porbandar and Mahuva.
- It is likely to cause heavy rainfall in the coastal areas of Gujarat.
- Low lying coastal areas like Kutch, Devbhoomi, Dwarka, Porbandar, Junagarh, Diu, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar are likely to be the worst affected by Vayu.
- The Gujarat government is on high alert
- National Disaster Response Force personnel have been deployed in the coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch on Tuesday morning.
- Fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea in the next few days while ports have been directed to flag a danger signal.
- The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has pre-positioned 26 teams, comprising about 45 personnel each, and the rescuers are equipped with boats, tree-cutters, telecom equipment.
- NDRF is also moving another 10 teams as requested by the Gujarat government.
- Steps are being taken towards maintaining all basic necessities like power, drinking water, health, food etc.
- The ministry is in continuous touch with the state governments and Union territories like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Daman and Diu, which may be affected due to the cyclone.
- The Indian Coast Guard, the Navy, Army and Air Force units have been put on standby and surveillance aircraft and helicopters are carrying out aerial surveillance.
Cyclone Vayu: Here's what you need to do
- Drink boiled, chlorinated water
- Keep doors and windows shut
- Switch off electrical mains and gas connection
- Don’t venture out in the sea
- Keep boats/rafts tied up in a safe place
- Listen to radio, read newspapers, watch television for weather updates
- Keep mobile phones charged for emergency situations
- Remove dead branches or dying trees close to your house.
- Anchor removable objects such as lumber piles, loose tin sheets, loose bricks, garbage cans, sign boards etc.
- Check the house and repair loose tiles, repair doors and windows if broken.
- If outdoors, seek a safe shelter as soon as possible.
- Keep important documents in water proof container.
Also Read | Cyclone Vayu to hit Gujarat on Thursday, NDRF teams on alert
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