Cyclone Ockhi to make landfall in Mumbai, Gujarat

Owing to Cyclone Ockhi, the city recorded the highest-ever December rainfall on Tuesday, in just 12 hours. Rainfall during 8.30am-8.30pm at the IMD's Santacruz observatory was 36mm, which beat the previous record of 31.4mm, recorded on December 12, 1967.

IMD bulletin said that Cyclone Ockhi is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards, weaken further and cross south Gujarat and adjoining north Maharashtra coasts near Surat as a depression by tonight (December 5-6 2017).

Cyclone Ockhi is gradually weakening into a depression and may not hit the Gujarat coast near Surat as predicted earlier, the Meteorological Centre said here on the intervening night of December 5 and 6.

Petition filed in Madras HC for direction to declare Ockhi a national disaster

A petition has been filed at the Madurai bench of the Madras high court seeking direction to central government to declare cyclone Ockhi a national disaster.

No direction from the Election Commission to postpone polls. These are all rumours. The poll panel took report from us and directed to ensure that voters do not face any inconvenience. We are in constant touch with the IMD and GOG.

As the path of the depression is not yet well established, sufficient vigil may have to be maintained in Coastal Areas of North Tamilnadu (Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram districts) Andhra Pradesh (from Nellore to Srikakulam districts) and South Odisha during the next three days.

We are all prepared to face Cyclone Ockhi. Ground preparedness is complete and all departments are coordinating well. Even the PMO in constant touch regarding the situation.

Entire Surat administration is prepared to deal with any eventualities in case of possible landfall of cyclone Ockhi.

We are focusing on cyclone, election is secondary: Gujarat CM

Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani says that his government is focusing on cyclone Ockhi, election is secondary.

Mumbai: Water logging on Sion-Panvel highway due to rain

Gujarat CM orders to keep communication lines open

We have kept the communication lines open. We are trying to monitor that no water logging takes place and the water supply is in ample amount: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani in Surat

EC asks Gujarat CEO to prepare contingency plan

The Election Commission has asked Gujarat's chief electoral officer to prepare a contingency plan in the wake of cyclone Ockhi and to ensure that those affected and rehabilitated should be able to vote.

Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani holds meeting in Surat to oversee preparedness in wake of cyclone Ockhi: ANI

The Kerala government today said intensified search and rescue operations are on to trace 92 fishermen, still missing in high seas after cyclone Ockhi hit the state coast on November 29 and 30.

According to airport director, the schedule of all other flights operating out of Ahmedabad is as usual; with no delay/ diversions/ cancellation of flights.

SpiceJet Kolkata to Surat flight was diverted to Ahmedabad due to poor weather conditions. The flight landed at Ahmedabad at 4.45pm. The flight will be taking off in a while and heading back to Kolkata.

Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani cancelled 3 elections rallies in his constituency Rajkot on December 6 and rushed to Surat for Cyclone Ockhi mitigation.

Recent developments

As per the latest forecast, the cyclone is approaching Gujarat steadily and now lies centred in the Arabian Sea just 390 kms away from the coastline near Surat.

Rallies of several top leaders, including those by BJP chief Amit Shah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, cancelled.

NDRF teams deployed at various parts of Gujarat to assist the administration.

PM Modi said he is continuously monitoring the situation arising in various parts of the country due to the cyclone.

PM Modi appealed to the Gujarat BJP workers to focus on providing assistance to the people likely to be hit by the cyclonic storm.

BMC has put up a tide chart at Chowpatty beach.

Observations

Cyclone Ockhi is heading towards Surat and will be passing through Mumbai at around 9PM. It will not cause any major damage. Wind will start picking up speed after 12:00pm. Wind speed and rains will be high between 3pm to 3am. Avoid going out between 3:00pm, Dec 5 2017 to 3am Dec 6 2017, unless emergency. Weather should be normal in Mumbai on Dec 6th 2017 at around 6:00am with observation of low rain showers.

Cyclone Ockhi: Forecast for Mumbai

12pm (12-22km/h) medium to heavy rain

3pm (18-55km/h) medium to heavy rain

6pm (35-66km/h) medium to heavy rain

9pm (42-80km/h) medium to heavy rain

1am (20-70km/h) medium to heavy rain

3am (12-40km/h) medium rain

6am (7-20km/h) low rain

Mumbai's Chowpatty beach closed for public

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday he is constantly monitoring the situation in various states arising out of cyclone Ockhi battering parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep islands and now heading towards Gujarat.

12 Goa beaches affected by sea water

Twelve beaches in Goa have been affected by the rising sea level caused by Cyclone Ockhi: Revenue minister Rohan Khaunte

Gujarat chief secretary holds review meeting

The chief secretary of Gujarat held a review meeting with government officials to take stock of preparedness in view of expected landfall of Ockhi cyclone in the state.

Rahul Gandhi's Gujarat rallies cancelled

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's rallies in Gujarat's Morbi, Dhrangadhra and Surendranagar have been cancelled due to bad weather: ANI

Kerala women's commission to contribute a day's salary

State women's commission members to contribute a day's salary to the chief minister's disaster relief fund to support those affected due to cyclone Ockhi. Funds will be handed over to CM Pinarayi Vijayan on December 8.

Cyclone Ockhi crosses Mumbai

Cyclone Ockhi crosses Mumbai, city gets respite from rains

Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani to address press conference

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani is expected to brief journalists on cyclone Ockhi at 5.30pm in Surat.

BMC asks people not to panic

IMD says cyclone Ockhi is 230km west-southWest of Mumbai, likely to continue to move north-northeastward, weaken gradually and will cross South Gujrat and North Maharashtra coast. No impact on Mumbai city and suburbs. Road and rail traffic is running smoothly, please don’t create panic: BMC

Mumbai: Fire brigade gears up for rescue ops

The fire brigade has a rescue boat ready at Dadar Chowpatty.

Gujarat varsity cancels exams

Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) in Surat has canceled all exams due to Ockhi cyclone

Maharashtra: Boat with 4 people on board goes missing

There were 2606 boats that have been called back off the maharashtra coast. Of which, one boat which 4 people on board is missing and cannot be contacted: Additional chief secretary Medha gadgil

Mumbai: Preparations for Ambedkar Jayanti affected due to bad weather

People who came to Mumbai to participate in Ambedkar Jayanthi event on December 6 have been asked to move to BMC schools as the tents put up on the Shivaji Park ground could not withstand the gusty winds #CycloneOckhi mumbai pic.twitter.com/ILtrZoYfdu

& mdash; TOI Cities (@TOICitiesNews) December 5, 2017

Mumbai Sea Link almost invisible due to heavy rains

Heavy rains reported in Ghatkopar

Surat Police beefs up security around beaches

#Gujarat: Police have barred people's entry to the Dumas beach in #Surat #cycloneockhi pic.twitter.com/6mSh4ws5xI

& mdash; TOI Ahmedabad (@TOIAhmedabad) December 5, 2017

Waterlogging reported at Shivaji Park

#Mumbai: Policemen take shelter under a temporary shade at Shivaji Park ground #cycloneokchi pic.twitter.com/hAlpdrZNak

& mdash; TOI Mumbai (@TOIMumbai) December 5, 2017

Surat collector orders to close schools, colleges

In view of the heavy rains expected in Gujarat due to cyclone Ockhi, the Surat collector has ordered to close schools and colleges today. The officer has also declared holiday on Wednesday as well.

Cyclone Ockhi to cross south Gujarat coast by tonight

Rains lash Mumbai

Track and intensity forecast of the system is given in the following table

Fishermen are advised not to venture into the Sea along & off South Gujarat coast during nex 24 hours

Damage Expected over south Gujarat and Saurashtra Damage Expected over south Gujarat and Saurashtra (Valsad, Surat, Navsari, Bharuch, Dang, Tapi, Amreli, Gir- Somnath, Bhavnagar districts), Daman, Diu, and Dadra, Nagar Haveli : Minor damage to loose / unsecured structures, breaking of tree branches, uprooting of small trees. Minor damage to Banana trees. Some damage to agriculture near coast due to salt spray. Damage to ripe paddy crops. Minor damage to Kutcha embankments

Sea condition would be rough to very rough along & off South Gujarat coast during next 24 hours

Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph very likely along & off South Gujarat coast during next 24 hours

Heavy rain very likely at isolated places in the districts of Gujarat region namely Valsad, Surat, Navsari, Bharuch, Dang, Tapi, Narmada, Baroda, Chhota Udaipur, Panchmahal, Dahod; in the district of Saurashtra namely Amreli, Gir Somanath, Bhavnagar and in Diu, Daman, Dadra Nagar Haveli during 5th December 2017

In association with cyclonic storm 'OCKHI', Gujarat State is very likely to experience a wet spell during next 4 days. The day wise forecast and warnings for the state are given below

The cyclone is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards, weaken gradually and cross south Gujarat and adjoining north Maharashtra coasts near Surat as a deep depression by the night of 5th December 2017

The severe cyclonic storm 'OCKHI' over eastcentral Arabian Sea moved further north-northeastwards with a speed of 25 kmph during past 6 hours, weakened into a cyclonic storm and lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of 05th December, 2017 over eastcentral Arabian Sea near Latitude 18.2º N and Longitude 70.8º E, about 390 km south-southwest of Surat and 230 km west-southwest of Mumbai