Cyclone Vayu LIVE: Vayu spares Gujarat, changes course towards Oman

Cyclone Vayu has changed its course and may not hit the Gujarat coast as predicted earlier, the MeT department said Thursday, even as the state government maintained that the situation is still "critical". The state government has evacuated over three lakh people living in low-lying areas and thatched houses in the coastal districts, while airports have been shut and over 70 trains cancelled as a precautionary measure.The cyclone will move north-northwestwards, brushing past the Saurashtra coast, instead of making landfall, the IMD report said. Follow Live updates here.

Cyclone Vayu spares Gujarat, changes course towards Oman

Sparing Gujarat after changing course, CycloneVayuThursday began moving away from the state coast towards Oman, even as the danger of heavy winds and rain in coastal areas continued, officials said.

State authorities have already evacuated three lakh people from low-lying areas near the coast to safer places.

The state government on Wednesday announced that operations at all the ports and airports situated near the coastline were halted for the time being.

(PTI)

Strong winds and waves hit the shoreline ahead of the expected landfall of Cyclone Vayu, in Veraval. (PTI Photo)

Cyclone Vayu: 86 trains cancelled, several short terminated

The railways has cancelled 86 trains and short terminated 37 others due to cycloneVayu, officials said Thursday.

Western Railway said the cancellations were made as a precaution even though the cyclone changed its course and is unlikely to make landfall in Gujarat. However, it will cause heavy rain in several coastal districts of the state.

Western Railway has also decided to run special relief trains. Two such special evacuation trains have been run in Rajkot division and one in Bhavnagar division to clear passengers from coastal area that are affected by the cyclone.

(PTI)

Cyclone Vayu: AAI says no damage so far to airport infrastructure in Gujarat

The impact of cyclone Vayu has been milder at most airports in Gujarat and there has been no damage to aerodromes' infrastructure so far, Airports Authority of India (AAI) said Thursday.


To avoid disruptions and damages to infrastructure, the AAI has suspended flight operations at airports in Porbandar, Diu, Bhavnagar, Keshod and Kandla for 24 hours starting midnight on Wednesday.


According to the AAI, a decision on resumption of flights from these airports would be taken after the next review meeting in the afternoon.

The severity of cyclone Vayu remains a threat for Gujarat's coastal areas even though the cyclone has changed course and is unlikely to make landfall in the state.


(PTI)

Cyclone Vayu: Power supply disrupted in 560 Gujarat villages

Power supply has been disrupted in nearly 560 villages of Gujarat due to cyclone Vayu and all efforts are on to restore it, an official said on Thursday.

The Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) chalked out an action plan well in advance in view of the cyclone threat, the state government-promoted company's in-charge managing director Shahmeena Husain said.

The GUVNL teams were finding it difficult to reach some of the water-logged coastal areas.

(PTI)

Winds, rain batter western India as cyclone veers away

High winds and heavy rains pounded western India on Thursday as a major cyclone expected to hit the coast veered away instead of into the Arabian Sea.

Read more

NDRF medical Camp at Diu

Western Railway: 9 more trains cancelled and another 4 short terminated with partial cancellation as a precautionary measure in view of the Cyclone Vayu.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the preparations of the Indian Coast Guard and Navy for tackling Cyclone Vayu and is monitoring the situation.

Manorama Mohanty, scientist at India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ahmedabad: Cyclone Vayu won't hit Gujarat. It will pass nearby from Veraval, Porbandar, Dwarka. Its effect will be seen on the coastal regions as there will be heavy wind speed and heavy rain as well. ANI

Food packets being prepared by groups in Rajkot, in the light of Cyclone Vayu. The food packets will be dispatched to the cyclone-affected areas of the state, as per the instructions by the govt officials. Photo: ANI

Cyclone Vayu very likely to move nearly north-northwestwards along Saurashtra coast affecting Amreli, GirSomnath, Diu, Junagarh, Porbandar, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka & Kutch districts of Gujarat with a wind speed of 155-165 kmph gusting to 180 kmphlikely from the afternoon, 13 June.

India Meteorological Dept: The sea condition is phenomenal over east-central and adjoining northeast Arabian Sea and Gujarat coast during next 12 hours & over the north Arabian Sea and Gujarat coast during 13-15 June.

The sea condition is very likely to very rough to high along & off Maharashtra Coast and northern parts of east-central Arabian Sea till 13 June.

Photo: ANI

Over 3 lakh people evacuated, says Amit Shah

As Gujarat and Diu are braving to face "very severe" cyclone Vayu, Home Minister Amit Shah Wednesday said authorities have evacuated about 3.1 lakh people living in the low-lying areas and the NDRF has pre-positioned 52 teams for rescue and relief operations.
Read more

Flight operations at 5 Gujarat airports to be suspended

The Airports Authority of India on Wednesday announced that flight operations will remain suspended at five airports in Gujarat for 24 hours from midnight Wednesday in order to minimise the damage to airport infrastructure and to avoid inconvenience to passengers due to Cyclone Vayu.
Read more

Maharashtra coast on alert as Vayu passes by

One person was killed and five others were injured as strong winds and rain lashed Mumbai and the coastal Konkan belt of Maharashtra on Wednesday as Cyclone Vayu progressed towards Gujarat for a landfall.

Read more

Flight operations at airports in Porbandar, Diu, Bhavnagar, Keshod and Kandla suspended till midnight on Thursday

Cyclone Vayu: Do's and Don'ts

Army, IAF teams on standby as 'Vayu' moves closer to Gujarat coast

As the "very severe" cyclonic storm 'Vayu' is inching closer to Gujarat coast and expected to make a landfall Thursday, the Army, the Air Force, and the NDRF teams are deployed and put on standby for rescue and relief operations along the coastal districts.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has also deployed ships and aircraft to enable search and rescue post the landfall of the cyclonic storm.

Ahead of the expected landfall of the storm, the state government has started large scale evacuation of around 3 lakh people from low-lying areas in Saurashtra and Kutch and those living near the coast.

(PTI)

Cyclone Vayu: Chinese boats seek shelter in Ratnagiri port

As cyclone Vayu is intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm, around 10 Chinese boats reached the Ratnagiri port of Maharashtra on Wednesday.

While two Chinese boats arrived in the Ratnagiri coast on Tuesday, eight more reached on Wednesday.


Indian Coast Guard inspector-general KR Suresh confirmed the development and said that a security cordon is being maintained. "On humanatarian grounds, they have been allowed under security cordon," he said.

The Maharashtra police, Maharashtra Maritime Board and Customs are in touch with ICG officials. Most of the boats are fishing boats.

Cyclone Vayu: NDRF team evacuating people to safer places in Gujarat

Guj: 1.6 lakh people evacuated as Cyclone Vayu inches closer

As cyclone 'Vayu' inches closer to the Gujarat coast and expected to make landfall on Thursday, authorities have so far shifted over 1.60 lakh people from low-lying areas of Saurashtra and Kutch regions.

Operations at ports and airports in these regions have been suspended as a precautionary measure, officials said.

As per the latest weather report, cyclone Vayu, which has turned into a 'very severe cyclonic storm', has changed its course slightly and would now hit Gujarat coast anywhere between Veraval in the south and Dwarka in the west by Thursday afternoon.

(PTI)

People react as a wave during high tide hits the seawall at Gateway of India, in Mumbai. (PTI Photo)

Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning, gusty wind with speed reaching 30-40kmph with an intense spell of rain likely to occur at isolated places in districts of Palghar and Thane during the next 4 hours:ANI quotingIMD Mumbai.

Cyclone Vayu: Transport services, port ops halted in Gujarat

Operations at all ports and airports located near the Gujarat coastline have been halted temporarily as a precautionary measure against cyclone 'Vayu', the state government said on Wednesday.

As per the weather department, the cyclone is expected to make a landfall in Gujarat on Thursday morning.

The cyclone is likely to affect Kutch, Morbi, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Devbhoomi-Dwarka, Porbandar, Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar and Gir-Somnath districts.

As the cyclone is steadily advancing towards the Gujarat coast, the state government has launched a massive evacuation exercise to shift around three lakh people from low-lying areas of Saurashtra and Kutch regions, an official said.

(PTI)

Navy braces to deal with Cyclone Vayu

The Indian Navy on Wednesday said the Western Naval Command has deployed its ships, aircraft and helicopters for rescue and relief operations and to alert the fishermen at sea about the impending Cyclone Vayu.

The Navy said its diving and rescue teams and relief material have been kept on standby for rendering assistance to civil authorities.


The cyclone is expected to hit the Gujarat coast on Thursday morning, but several parts along the Maharashtra and Goa coast have been witnessing strong winds and rains.

(PTI)

Delays of over 20 minutes reported at Mumbai airport due to bad weather.

Cyclone Vayu: Rahul appeals to Cong workers to help in areas that get affected

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday appealed to all party workers to be prepared to help out in areas that get affected by cyclone "Vayu", which is nearing the Gujarat coast.

"Cyclone Vayu is nearing the Gujarat coast. I appeal to all Congress workers to be prepared to help out in all the areas that come in the cyclone's way. I pray for the security and well-being of all the people in the areas that will be affected by the cyclone," Gandhi tweeted in Hindi.

Cyclonic storm "Vayu" has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, the IMD had said on Tuesday.

(PTI)

1.25 lakh people have been shifted to safer places: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani

Follow real-time info on cyclone to stay safe: PM

As cyclone 'Vayu' advances towards Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday advised people to follow real-time information being provided by local agencies to stay safe.

"Praying for the safety and wellbeing of all those affected by CycloneVayu. The government and local agencies are providing real-time information, which I urge those in affected areas to closely follow," he said in a tweet.

(PTI)

Strong winds hit Somnath temple in Gujarat

Central Government closely monitoring the situation due to Cyclone Vayu: PM Modi

Beaches in Maharashtra to remain closed to public for next 2 days

In view of the forecast of the IMD regarding highly gusty winds and very rough seas off the Konkan Coast due to the presence of the Cyclonic Formation in the Arabian sea coupled with high tide nearing 6 meters on 12th and 13th June 2019, all beaches in the Konkan- Palghar, Mumbai, Raigad, Sindhudurg, Thane as well as Ratnagiri should immediately be shut off for the public for the next 2 days.

Advisories also to be issued to Fisherman & General Public to not venture near the sea.Concerned District Administrations and MCGM have been asked to take all necessary measures immediately.

Cyclone Vayu: Odisha offers help to Gujarat

As cyclone 'Vayu' advances towards the Gujarat coast, Odisha government Wednesday offered all help to the western state, which has launched a massive evacuation exercise to shift people from low-lying areas of Saurashtra and Kutch regions.

Gujarat Chief Secretary J N Singh called up his Odisha counterpart A P Padhi and sought Odisha's advice on how to tackle the cyclonic storm on a war-footing, officials said Wednesday.

"Gujarat chief secretary had called me up and discussed the measures to be taken ahead of the landfall. We have offered all kind of help to Gujarat. However, the Gujarat chief secretary has said that they will seek further help if required keeping in view the situation," Padhi told reporters here.

The Gujarat government is in constant touch with Odisha in view of the eastern state's successful handing of similar calamities like cyclone 'Fani' in May this year and cyclone 'Titli' last year, officials said.

In both cases, Odisha has been successful in reducing human casualties due to proper handling of the situation. Odisha government during cyclone 'Fani' had created a record by evacuating above 15 lakh people to safe place ahead of the landfall of cyclone Fani near Puri.

Meanwhile, cycloneVayuhas turned into a "very severe cyclonic storm" and it is likely to cause gusty winds to blow at a speed of 145 kmph to 170 kmph by Thursday morning, according to IMD.

Cyclone 'Vayu': Gujarat begins evacuation

As cyclone 'Vayu' advances towards the Gujarat coast, the state government launched a massive evacuation exercise to shift about three lakh peoplefrom low-lying areas of Saurashtra and Kutch regions, officials said, on Wednesday.

Read more

Western Railway gears up to tackle cyclone Vayu

With cyclone Vayu approaching Gujarat, the Mumbai-headquartered Western Railway (WR) has geared up to help out its passengers.

Read More

Western Railway: All passenger & Mail/Express trains to Veraval, Okha, Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Bhuj and Gandhidham stations are being short terminated/cancelled after 1800 hrs today to morning of Jun 14. One special train from each station to evacuate all persons from the respective areas.

Another C-17 got airborne from New Delhi to Patna to airlift 154 NDRF personnel & 6 Tons of load from Patna to Jamnagar for the #HADR. IAF helicopters are on standby at various AF bases for #HADR. IAF is committed in providing assistance to our citizens in line of Cyclone Vayu.

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 12, 2019

C-17 aircraft of IAF got airborne from New Delhi to Arakkonam today. Aircraft will airlift approx 152 NDRF personnel & 8 Tons of load of necessary equipment from Arakkonam to Jamnagar for HADR mission for the people likely to be affected by the cyclone in Gujarat.

The very severe cyclone Vayu is now 340 km south of Veraval.

Likely to move Northward and cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around Veraval and Diu with a wind speed of 145-155 kmph gusting to 170 kmph around the morning of 13th June.

Personnel from India's 6th National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) check emergency and rescue material at a NDRF camp in Chiloda (also called Naroda), some 40 kms from Ahmedabad on June 11, 2019. - An intensified storm from the Arabian Sea is likely to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm that is heading towards Gujarat state. As a way to face the now called cyclone 'Vayu' NDRF personnel are deployed to different coastal regions of the state. (AFP photo)

A personnel from India's 6th National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) checks a chainsaw on a truck at a NDRF camp in Chiloda (also called Naroda), some 40 kms from Ahmedabad on June 11, 2019. - An intensified storm from the Arabian Sea is likely to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm that is heading towards Gujarat state. As a way to face the now called cyclone 'Vayu' NDRF personnel are deployed to different coastal regions of the state. (AFP photo)

Indian Coast Guard has formed Disaster relief teams and kept on immediate notice at Daman, Dahanu Mumbai, MurudJanjira, Ratnagiri, Goa Karwar, Mangalore, Beypore, Vijhinjam & Kochi for immediate response to the impending Cyclone Vayu.

Gujarat on alert as cyclonic storm Vayu closes in

Parts of Gujarat are bracing for impact from strengthening CycloneVayu, which is expected to slam into the state early Thursday, even as plans are afoot to shift people in the coastal belt to safer places.

The Gujarat administration is on high alert to deal with the cyclone, which is likely to hit the state coast near Veraval, officials said.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday said people living in the coastal belt would be shifted to safer places.

As per the latest weather report, the cyclonic stormVayuis located around 630 km south of Veraval coast and is "very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm" in next 12 hours and hit the state coast on June 13.

Officials said the cyclone is likely to affect Kutch, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Devbhoomi-Dwarka, Porbandar, Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar and Gir-Somnath districts.

Rupani told reporters in Gandhinagar that the entire coastline, starting from Kutch to south Gujarat, has been put on "high alert".

The officials concerned are in touch with the Odisha government to learn and implement the disaster management techniques adopted by them when cyclone Fani hit the eastern coastal state recently, he said.

"We have cancelled leaves of employees concerned and asked them to join duty. After the Cabinet meet tomorrow, all the ministers will go to various districts to oversee relief and rescue operations," he said.

"June 13 and 14 are crucial for us. We have roped in the Army, NDRF, Coast Guard and other agencies for rescue and relief work. We will start shifting people living in coastal areas to safer locations," he said.

After a review meet with district collectors and other officials, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Pankaj Kumar said schools, colleges and Anganwadis in coastal districts would remain shut on June 12 and 13.

"In all, 36 NDRF teams will be deployed for rescue operations. We have also roped in Army, Navy, Coast Guard and BSF units. If needed, we will also take help of Air Force. We have ordered schools, colleges and Anganwadis in the districts which are likely to be hit by the cyclone to remain shut on June 12 and 13," Kumar said.

Cyclone 'Vayu': Heavy rainfall prediction for Goa

Onset of cyclone "Vayu" will trigger heavy rains in Goa and the Konkan area for the next two days, the IMD said Tuesday.

The department has issued the "orange" warning for Goa in view of the deep depression over East Central and adjoining South East Arabian sea, which has intensified into cyclonic storm.

"Goa will receive widespread rainfall with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places on June 12. There will be fairly widespread rainfall with heavy falls at isolated places on June 13 too," the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Meanwhile, sea water levels exceeded its usual limit Tuesday, prompting the authorities to close the shoreline for swimming.

Chinese boats seek shelter as cyclone 'Vayu' strengthens

As cyclone "Vayu" is intensifying into severe cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea, some Chinese boats Tuesday sought shelter from authorities near Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, a Coast Guard official said.

As per India Meteorological Department (IMD) communication Tuesday, the speed of "Vayu" has increased to 17 km per hour in the last six hours of Tuesday evening.

"Some 6-7 boats have initiated the communication and sought shelter following a routine procedure. The first communication as per my information took place today evening," the official said.

Marine Police and the Customs have been apprised about the movement of the Chinese boats, he said.

"Once these boats reach Ratnagiri, we will come to know about their exact status and their requirements," the official said, adding that it is a common practice wherein boats and ships of one country seek shelter at facilities like ports in a nearby country.

Heavy rain in Uttara Kannada district

‘Vayu’ cyclone caused due to depression over Arabian Sea brought widespread rain across Uttara Kannada district on Wednesday. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services has warned of heavy rain on Wednesday also.

Read More

Cyclone Vayu to affect 3 lakh people in Gujarat, Diu

The Gujarat state administration has been put on high alert in view of impending cyclonic storm "Vayu", which is expected to hit the coastal towns of Porbandar, Mahua, Veraval and the Union Territory of Diu by Thursday.

Read More

Cyclone Vayu turns "very severe", advances towards Gujarat

Mumbai and some neighbouring coastal areas of Maharashtra witnessed a windy Wednesday morning as cyclone 'Vayu' turned into a "very severe cyclonic storm", the weather department said.

As the cyclone continued to progress towards Saurashtra and Kutch regions of neighbouring Gujarat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded its severity condition.

"CycloneVayuhas turned into a very severe cyclonic storm. It would cause gusty winds to blow at a speed of 145 kmph to 170 kmph by Thursday morning," the IMD said.

Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) started landing in Gujarat with the help of the Indian Air Force to undertake preventive evacuation of people living on the west coast, an IAF official said.

Because of the cyclonic storm, the Arabian Sea has turned turbulent and bigger waves are advancing towards coastal areas, the IMD said.

Huge sea waves lashed Devbaug village in Malvan tehsil of Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district on Wednesday.

An official at the district collectorate said since Devbaug is located in a low-lying area, it often gets inundated when the sea is rough, and maintained that so far the situation is under control.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday reviewed the preparations for cycloneVayu, which is expected to make landfall in Gujarat on Thursday, and directed officials to ensure all possible steps for the safety of people.

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, an official earlier said.