Cyclonic storm ‘Nilofar’ to cross north Gujarat coast on Saturday

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
New Delhi, Oct 28:

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted the landfall of the very severe cyclonic storm ‘Nilofar’close to Naliya in north Gujarat by forenoon of November 1.

However, the latest IMD bulletin suggests the Nilofar would weaken into a cyclonic storm as it hits the coast.

The following is the text of the IMD bulletin issued this afternoon:

The very severe cyclonic storm, ‘NILOFAR’ over westcentral Arabian Sea moved slowly northwestwards in the past 6 hours and lay centred at 11.30 AM today near about 1110 km southwest of Naliya (Gujarat), 1150 km south-southwest of Karachi (Pakistan) and 810 km east-southeast of Salalah (Oman).

It would move north-northwestwards during next 12 hrs and then gradually recurve northeastwards and cross north Gujarat and adjoining Pakistan coast around Naliya by November 1 forenoon.

However, as the system would come closer to Gujarat coast, it would weaken and cross the coast as a cyclonic storm.

Warning:

Under the influence of this system, rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would commence along coastal districts of Saurashtra and Kutch from 31st October night.

Squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph would commence along and off Gujarat coast from 31st October night and would become 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph at the time of landfall. Sea condition along and off Gujarat coast will be rough to very rough from 31st October night and would become high from morning of 1st November.

Damage expected:

Damage to thatched roofs and huts. Minor damage to power and communication lines due to uprooting of trees and breaking of tree branches.

Action suggested:

Fishermen out at sea along and off Gujarat coast should return to the coast. Total suspension of fishing operations. Coastal hutment dwellers to be moved to safer places. People in affected areas to remain indoors around landfall time.