After all that prep, Cyclone Vayu sidesteps Gujarat

Even as Gujarat had been bracing for Cyclone Vayu's fury, the state managed to avert a disaster after it failed to make landfall till late evening. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) officials, however, said the cyclone will still skirt the coast of the state along Saurashtra and bring with it the possibility of strong winds and very heavy rainfall. Additionally, Gujarat continues to remain on high alert despite the change in the cyclone's path as the threat of destruction has not yet abated.

"We have been informed that the cyclone has changed its course, but there will be heavy winds and rains so we are still on alert," said Pankaj Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary.

IMD officials, in a release, said that the cyclone will now move north-northwestwards while skirting the Saurashtra coast with wind speed expected to be 90-100 kmph and likely to lash Gir Somnath, Porbandar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Diu, and Junagadh. Officials added that the cyclone is currently 110 km from Veraval.

(A portion of Porbandar’s Bhuteshwar Mahadev temple collapses due to the gusty winds and heavy rain brought on by Cyclone Vayu on Thursday —ANI)

Keeping in step with the administration's handling of Cyclone Fani, over 2.78 lakh people from low-lying areas of 10 districts in the coastal belt were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, CM Vijay Rupani said that he was in touch with PM Modi who had a telephonic conversation with him after landing in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and took stock of the situation back home. He also assured all assistance and support from Central Government to mitigate the effects of the cyclone, the CM said.

Apart from the Armed Forces and the Coast Guards, 52 teams of National Disaster Management Relief Force (NDRF) have been pressed into service on the streets. 

Alongside, 11 teams of the SDRF, 2 companies of BSF and 12 companies of SRP and 300 marine commandos have also been dispatched to the affected coastal districts.

An official said that the danger has not abated as the real impact of the wind and rain will only be clear in the next 48 to 60 hours. The state has also cancelled all operations at ports and airports on the coastal belt while railways suspended 86 trains and short-terminated 37 others.

— Zee Media Newsroom