The Gujarat government in coordination with Central agencies and private businesses has swung into action ahead of the landfall of the ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm - Vayu’ on Thursday. The government has so far evacuated over 2.5 lakh people from 10 districts along the Arabian sea coast and moved them to safer places. As a precautionary measure, people living within 10 kms of area from the seashore across Saurashtra have been asked to move to higher grounds.

Also read:Cyclone Vayu : After the 1998 'super cyclone', Gujarat is now better prepared

As per the IMD update on Wednesday evening, ‘Vayu’ is about 280-km nearly south of Veraval (Gujarat). It is likely to move northwards and cross the Gujarat coast between Dwarka and Veraval as a ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’ in Thursday afternoon, it added. Cyclone Vayu is considered the worst cyclone to hit the State since 1998. Its impact is already being felt, with several districts in South Gujarat and Saurashtra reporting rains and strong wind.

Red alert

For ‘Vayu’, the IMD has upgraded its alert to the highest level - red - pushing the administration to act swiftly for evacuation relief measures.

“It is expected at present that the impact of cyclone will start being felt from the midnight Wednesday. The intensity of the cyclone is seen increasing. As a precaution, the government is shifting the citizens so that we can achieve our aim of zero casualty. Food packets and medical aid are being provided,” Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said addressing media. 

A total of 47 NDRF teams have been deployed across the districts where the cyclone impact is feared to be severe. The NDRF teams were mobilsed from Vijaywada, INS Rajali, Tamil Nadu and Patna (Bihar).

For the prone areas, the Western Railways has short-terminated or cancelled trains till Friday morning, while special trains are kept in a ready condition at nearest safe location to be moved in case of emergency.

The government has ordered closure of all educational institutions and tourist places on the Gujarat coast till June 14 and tourists have been advised to move out at the earliest.

The airports in Saurashtra, Kutch have been shut down and State transport operations from the prone districts have been restricted.

The region houses many large industries and the cyclone will also bring businesses to a temporary halt. The government also vacated 153 salt pans and shifted workers there to safety.

Port operations

Speaking to BusinessLine , Sunaina Tomar, Principal Secretary, Ports and Transport Department, Government of Gujarat, informed that cargo operations at all ports in the Gulf of Khambat (Cambay) have been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure. 

“We have withdrawn all workers from the ports. Ports, including the upcoming port at Chhara, Pipavav, Swan Energy's Floating LNG units, Reliance Sikka Jetties, Salaya port, Okha, Porbandar and many other small and medium ports have been asked to suspend operations.”

Tomar also added that vessels docked at the ports have been sailed off to safer places. “All FSRUs, SPM jetties have been closed. And vessels are being sailed off.”

Operations at Deen Dayal Port at Kandla were temporarily suspended. Adani Group, which operates country’s largest port at Mundra and other locations in the State said, “The disaster management plan has been put into action and all the necessary precautions are being put in place including evacuation of staff if the need arises.”

Reliance Industries’ largest petroleum refinery complex at Jamnagar has implemented precautionary measures for safety. 

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