Cyclone Vayu may recurve towards India's Gujarat again

The very severe cyclonic storm, Vayu, which was likely to make landfall in India's western state of Gujarat on Thursday but changed its trajectory could again recurve in the next two days, meteorological department officials said Saturday.

"The very severe cyclonic storm Vayu over the northeast and adjoining east central the Arabian Sea moved west-southwestwards over the northeast and adjoining east central the Arabian Sea, about 180 km west-southwest of Porbandar (Gujarat), 230 km west of Veraval (Gujarat) and 290 km west-northwest of Diu. The system is very likely to move nearly westwards during the next 48 hours and recurve northeastwards thereafter," a meteorological department official in Ahmedabad said.

"The system is moving nearly westwards. However, Porbandar and Devbhoomi Dwarka districts are likely to experience squally winds speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph and Gir Somnath and Junagarh districts with strong winds speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph during next 12 hours decrease subsequently."

According to the official, during the two days, Gujarat is very likely to experience an active wet spell and sea conditions are very likely to be very rough to high along and off Gujarat coast until Monday. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the north Arabian Sea and along and off Gujarat coast during this period, officials said.

Authorities in the anticipation of the cyclone had made adequate arrangements and evacuated 300,000 people from coastal Gujarat and the union territory of Diu. Apart from the National Disaster Response Force, the Coast Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force and the Border Security Force were put on high alert and schools and colleges were closed.