Cyclone Ockhi To Make Landfall In Gujarat By Tuesday Midnight

After leaving a trail of destruction in the southern coast, Cyclone Ockhi is expected to make landfall in coastal Gujarat tomorrow midnight with squally winds, which may cause heavy rains in several parts of the state during the next two days.

An India Meteorological Department forecast said, “The severe cyclonic storm Ockhi is now laid centred about 850 km south-southwest of Surat and is likely to cross south Gujarat and adjoining North Maharashtra coasts near Surat as a deep depression by mid-night of Dec. 5.” Following the IMD prediction, Gujarat Chief Secretary JN Singh today took stock of the administrative preparedness to deal with any eventuality.

Revenue department's Principal Secretary Pankaj Kumar told reporters in Gandhinagar that the authorities concerned in the coastal region of the state have been directed to take all precautionary measures.

Two National Disaster Response Force teams each have been deployed at Surat, Navsari, and Rajkot. The officer said the Army, Navy, and the Border Security Force have been alerted in the view of the cyclone's landfall.

The principal secretary said collectors of the coastal districts have been asked to ensure that fishermen do not venture into the sea as it will remain rough. “Those fishermen who have already gone into sea should return now. Many such fishermen are already on their way to the coast,” he added.

Kumar said according to the IMD forecast, wind velocity would remain between 50 KMPH to 70 KMPH when the cyclone would make landfall.

In view of the adverse weather conditions, the RoRo ferry service between Ghogha and Dahej across the Gulf of Khambhat has been suspended. The service, inaugurated recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would resume on December 6 subject if the weather conditions are suitable.

According to the IMD, Gujarat is very likely to experience a wet spell during the next four days. “Heavy rainfall might occur in Valsad, Surat, Navsari, Bharuch, Dang, Tapi, Amreli, Gir-Sonath and Bhavnagar districts on Dec. 5,” it said.

In a port warning issued here, the MeT Centre said, “Sea condition would be rough. Fishermen (have been) advised not to venture into the sea till Dec. 6. Hoist Distant Warning Signal Number 2 at all ports.”

According to an official release, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani held an urgent meeting with senior officials to take stock of the preparedness.

During the meeting, he was apprised that as many as 50 boats from Kerala had drifted towards Gujarat's Veraval coast due to the cyclone, it said.