Cyclone Vayu has changed its course and now it has moved towards Oman. As per the latest IMD report, the cyclone has moved westwards and lay centred about 130 km southwest of Porbandar, 175 km west of Veraval and 240 km west of Diu.
It will affect Porbandar, Dwarka, Gir, Somnath and Junagarh and is expected to continuously affect these districts during the next 12 hours. The wind speed over these districts is more likely to decrease gradually thereafter.
Meanwhile, the Airports Authority of India has decided to resume the flight services at 5 airports in the state from 6 am today. The AAI said in a statement, “After assessing the situation and the prevailing weather patterns as per the locally available meteorological reports. Kandla and Keshod airports will resume the normal flight operations from 12 midnight today.”
Though, the flight operations will resume at Bhavnagar Airport from 6 am, Diu and Porbandar Airports will become operational from 10 am.
Gujarat chief minister, Vijay Rupani said, “Despite the cyclone veering away the government will have to wait till 8 am today to take any decision. The CM, however, said that the evacuation camps will remain operational until today.”
Gujarat Chief Secretary JN Singh said, “All the measures will remain in place till tomorrow morning. We are not declaring as of now that there is no danger. We are not taking any chance."
It is to be noted that, cyclone Vayu has not left any major impact in the State of Gujarat, a dozen talukas in the coastal belt received over one inch of downpour since Thursday morning. Bhuteshwar Mahadev temple, 150-year-old collapsed in Porbandar due to waves and heavy rains in the coastal area. But, no casualty has been reported so far in Gujarat due to the cyclonic storm.
However, the administration will still remain on high alert and schools in 10 districts will stay closed today. More than 2.15 lakh people staying in coastal and low-lying areas were evacuated to safety at government camps. Earlier, it was expected that the cyclone will make a landfall between Dwarka and Veraval on the Saurashtra coast.
Adding to it, the fishermen were also advised not to venture into the north Arabian Sea and off Gujarat coast till 15th June.
