The coastal districts in Gujarat are taking steps to face Cyclone Nilofar, which has developed in the Arabian Sea and is expected to make landfall over the north-western region of the State in two days. The India Meteorological Department will give clear guidelines to the State on the progress of the cyclone on Monday.
“At present, the cyclonic storm is centred on the west-central and adjoining southwest area of the Arabian Sea. The exact situation — how and whether it will affect the Gujarat coast — can be ascertained, only after it moves from its current location. It may take 48 hours to ascertain that,” Additional Director of Ahmedabad Meteorological Centre Manorama Mohanty said.
“If it moves towards the Gujarat coast, then it may bring atmospheric changes such as rain and strong winds, but at present, it is difficult to say anything.”
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Fishermen in Jamnagar, Porbandar and Kutch have been alerted to return from the sea, and the State administration has set up coordination networks up to the village level to meet any emergency.
“We were informed about Nilofar by the State control room. Everyone has been put on alert. Control rooms have also been set up at the village level. District officials from various departments till the taluk level have been alerted. At the moment, our State machinery is equipped. We also have the Indian Coast Guard, the Air Force and the Navy in Jamnagar,” Nalin Upadhyay, District Collector, Jamnagar, told The Hindu .
The coastal villages in Porbandar have been put on alert.
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(With additional reporting by PTI)