Cyclone Vayu: Thunderstorm, lightning alert issued for various districts of Gujarat;'orange' warning for Goa

The Indian Meteorological Department has issued warnings of thunderstorm and lightning accompanied by gusty wind (40-50 kmph) at isolated places in the districts of North Gujarat region including Banaskantha and Sabarkantha for Wednesday and Thursday.

The warnings have been issued at a time when the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around Veraval and Diu region is expected to be hit by cyclone "Vayu" on the morning of June 13.

The cyclonic storm is likely to be of speed 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph.

Heavy to very heavy rains are predicted at isolated places in Saurashtra ta Amreli, Bhavnagar, Gir Somnath, Junagadh and Diu. Heavy rains are very likely at isolated places in districts of South Gujarat region, in Navsari, Valsad, Daman, Dadra Nagar Haveli on 12 June, according to IMD.

Cyclone Vayu is likely to cause heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of Gujarat along with storm surge, which may cause inundation in the low lying coastal areas of Dwarka, Porbandar, Junagarh, Diu, Gir, Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts at the time of landfall.

While heavy rains will be observed at isolated places in Kutch district, in the districts of South Gujarat region namely Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Daman, Dadra Nagar Haveli on June 13, heavy to very heavy rains very likely at isolated places in the districts of Saurashtra-Kutch namely Rajkot, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Morbi, Dwarka and Kutch on June 14.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea along and off Gujarat coast during 12-15 June as well as into East-central Arabian Sea and along and off Maharashtra Coast today and into the northeast Arabian Sea from June 12-13.

NDRF has mobilised 35 teams in Gujarat and four teams in Diu in coordination with the local administration. Rescue teams of SDRF, Army, Coast Guard, and BSF are also in the readiness.

The onset of the cyclone will also trigger heavy rains in Goa and the Konkan area for the next two days, the IMD added.

The department has issued the "orange" warning for Goa in view of the deep depression over East Central and adjoining South East Arabian sea, which has intensified into a cyclonic storm.

"Goa will receive widespread rainfall with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places on June 12. There will be fairly widespread rainfall with heavy falls at isolated places on June 13 too," the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Meanwhile, sea water levels exceeded its usual limit Tuesday, prompting the authorities to close the shoreline for swimming. 

(With inputs from agencies)