Tropical cyclone ‘Phet’ in the Arabian sea has intensified further into a severe cyclonic storm, moved northwestward, and lay centred 1,000 km southwest of Naliya in Kutch district of Gujarat even as some parts of the state received rainfall.
The Indian Meteorological Department today said “the current environmental condition and Numerical Weather Prediction models suggest the system would intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm and move slowly in a north-northwesterly direction for the next 24 hours and then re-curve northeastwards towards Gujarat and adjoining Pakistan coast”.
IMD officials said that under the influence of ‘Phet’ widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would commence over coastal areas of Gujarat from June 4, and increase thereafter.
Meanwhile, rainfall was recorded in most parts of Amreli, Dharmpur in Valsad and some parts in coastal region of Jamnagar this morning. Also, sporadic rains were registered in Palitana, Alang, and Umrada regions of Bhavnagar district.
Sky in the coastal towns of the state was overcast and the temperature had come down considerably. According to weather department, wind speed in the coastal areas of Gujarat would reach 65-75 kmph by Thursday and increase gradually.
Sea would be rough with waves from southwesterly direction and fishermen have been advised not to go out in the sea till tomorrow, they said.
The ports in the state have also been asked to hoist distress warning signal 2.
