A dozen beaches along Goa’s 106 km coastline have been affected by rising sea levels caused by Cyclone Ockhi, State Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte said on Tuesday. He estimated the damage to be around Rs. 20-30 lakhs.
Those affected by the natural calamity had two days to approach the government agencies with details of the damage caused to their property to avail compensation, he said.
“Roughly about six areas in Salcete [a coastal taluk in South Goa], Varca, Cavellossim, Utorda, Benaulim, Betalbatim and Sernabatim and in north Goa, Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim, Keri, Candolim, Anjuna have been affected,” Mr. Khaunte said.
These are popular beach villages frequented by tourists.
EC directive on Gujarat polls
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday asked poll authorities in Gujarat to ensure that voters in Assembly seats falling in the path of cyclone Ockhi are able to exercise their franchise on December 9 without inconvenience despite inclement weather.
The nomadic Vanzara community migrates to a safe place in Ahmedabad as coastal Gujarat braces for cyclone Ockhi on Tuesday.
Citing a weather bulletin, the poll panel pointed out that the movement of the cyclonic depression over parts of Gujarat is likely to be accompanied by a wet spell over the next three-four days.
In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat, the EC said, considering the cyclone alert and the scheduled first phase of polls on December 9, “besides making effective arrangements for immediate relief and rehabilitation, adequate, effective and fool-proof arrangements may also be made... towards the smooth and efficient conduct of the election process.”
It said the authorities should also ensure that all the voters are “able to exercise their franchise without any inconvenience.”
IMD update
Rivers in North Konkan, North Madhya Maharashtra and Gujarat State are likely to rise rapidly.
Heavy rainfall is likely in north Konkan, north Madhya Maharashtra and Gujarat State during the next 24 hours in association with Cyclone Ockhi which is likely to cross the coast near Surat.
Under the influence of cyclone Okchi and the likely formation of a depression in Bay of Bengal, with associated heavy rainfalls, in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha on December 7 and 8th.
As the path of the depression is not yet well established, sufficient vigil may have to be maintained.
Cyclone Ockhi moves closer to Surat
Cyclone Ockhi on Tuesday moved closer to the southern coast near Surat in Gujarat and is expected to make a landfall around midnight, according to the latest bulletin of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
As per its latest forecast, the cyclone was 390 km away from Surat.
The cyclone is approaching Gujarat steadily and now lies centred in the Arabian Sea just 390 km away from Surat. It is very likely to continue moving north-northwestwards, an IMD official said.
Leaders cancel election rallies
Several leaders have cancelled their election rallies in the poll-bound Gujarat as cyclone Ockhi is eddying menacingly towards the State’s coast.
BJP chief Amit Shah’s poll rallies scheduled in Rajula town of Amreli and Mahuva and Shihor of Bhavnagar district have been cancelled, a party release said.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi held a poll rally in Anjar but cancelled three in Morbi, Dhrangadhra and Surendranagar.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari’s roadshow in Bapunagar area of Ahmedabad was also cancelled due to light showers since early morning. The BJP has also called off rallies and press conferences of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Surat on Tuesday.
Former Congress strongman Shankersinh Vaghela, who floated his ‘Jan Vikalp’ front, was also forced to cancel his roadshows and rallies that were to be held in Junagadh, and Mahuva and Palitana towns of Saurashtra. Though Mr. Vaghela was supposed to reach Surat on Tuesday night, he dropped his plan due to the approaching cyclone.
No need to panic, says Mumbai corporation
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has said the cyclone will have no impact on Mumbai and its suburbs and urged Mumbaikars not to panic.
A scene at Worli shores. Mumbai is experiencing rain since last evening because of the Cyclone Ockhi.
The IMD has predicted that the cyclone is 230km west-southwest of Mumbai, and is likely to continue to move north-northeastward, will weaken gradually and cross south Gujarat and north Maharashtra coast. Hence Mumbai is safe.
All road and and rail traffic are running smoothly, the BMC has said.
Schools closed in Mumbai
Areas around Mumbai should expect moderate rainfall, while heavy rain is expected in isolated parts of the northern Konkan region. Taking no chances, schools in several parts of Maharashtra, including in Mumbai, have been asked to remain closed on Tuesday by Education Minister Vinod Tawde.
The BMC has alerted all stakeholders and began coordinating the operations. “We’ve alerted the Navy, Coast Guard and Fire Brigade. We are preparing for the next two days,” Mahesh Narvekar, who heads BMC’s Disaster Management Cell, said. Read more
NDMA asks fishermen not to venture into sea
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has asked fishermen in both the eastern and the western coasts not to venture into the sea in the next three days as heavy rainfall is expected in many areas due to Cyclone Ockhi.
Mumbai, 04/12/2017: High tidal wave hit the city at Marine drive. Mumbai coastal line is on high alert as Cyclone Ockhi is about to hit the Coastal of Maharashtra, Goa in next 48 hours. Photo: Emmanual Yogini
Asking people not to panic in case of a cyclone alert, the NDMA said in an advisory that fishermen along and off the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu coasts should not venture into the sea from December 6 to 8 while fishermen along and off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are advised not to venture into the sea till tomorrow.
Fishermen living along and off south Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts too have been advised not to venture into the sea till Wednesday morning.
Goa assesses damage
The North Goa district has done a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by Cyclone Ockhi.
Also, the shack owners, whose establishments suffered damage following high tide during the cyclone, have decided to approach the State Tourism Department to seek compensation for their losses.
“There was no danger caused to human life in North Goa district, as necessary instructions were given by the talathis (local revenue officials) to foreigners, tourists and locals, asking them not to enter the sea waters,”the office of North Goa’s district magistrate said through a release.
However, considerable damage was caused to around 50 shacks in Morjim, Mandrem, Arambol and Querim beaches in Pernem taluka. Soil erosion at Anjuna and Baga beaches and damage to the retaining wall at Coco beach in Nerul have also been reported.
The State government will appoint competent authorities to assess the damage and losses to beach shacks and other properties. Read more
Western Railway on high alert
The Western Railway (WR) on Monday said it had taken necessary precautions and made suitable arrangements in view of the warning about Cyclone Ockhi in the coastal areas of Maharashtra.
