Gujarat on high alert as Cyclone Vayu is likely to make landfall tomorrow

Cyclone Vayu is closing in on the Gujarat coast, as the government launches an evacuation. Tourists are advised to stay clear of the state in the coming days. As per reports, about 300,000 people are being evacuated from low-lying areas, such as Saurashtra and Kutch.
The severe cyclone over East-central Arabian Sea intensified on late Tuesday night, and early morning it moved towards the northern area at a speed of 13 km per hour. The Indian Met Department say that the cyclone will most likely touch the Gujarat coast, lying between Porbandar and Mahuva. Mumbai, along with other coastal areas of Maharashtra experienced a windy morning today.

The Indian Met department has also predicted very heavy rainfalls in areas, such as Saurashtra ta Amreli, Bhavnagar, Gir Somnath, Junagadh, Diu, Navsari, Valsad, Daman, and Dadra Nagar Haveli.

The Indian Air Force had sent its C-17 Globemaster from New Delhi to Vijaywada, and has issued a statement saying that the South Western Air Command is prepared to help, and rescue people. Already the IAF has positioned medium lift and light utility helicopters.

Cyclone Vayu is expected to make landfall over the Saurashtra coast on early Thursday morning. The cyclone storm is expected to carry winds up to 135 km per hour. The cyclone had developed on Monday in the Arabian Sea, and the Gujarat Government has already declared a two-day holiday for schools and colleges in many parts of the state.