Severe Cyclonic Storm Warning for Gujarat Coast: Orange Message

The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘VAYU’ (pronounced as VAA’YU) over East-central Arabian Sea moved nearly northwards with a speed of about 13 kmph in last six hours and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of 12th June, 2019 near latitude 17.8°N and longitude 70.5°E over East-central Arabian Sea, about 470 km west-northwest of Goa, 280 km south-southwest of Mumbai (Maharashtra) and 340 km nearly south of Veraval (Gujarat).

It is very likely to move nearly northwards and cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around Veraval & Diu region as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speed 145-155 kmph gusting to 170 kmph around the morning of 13th June 2019.

Forecast track and intensity are given in the following table:

 Warnings:

(i) Heavy rainfall warning: 

Heavy rain: 64.5-115.5 mm/day; Very heavy rain: 115.6-204.4 mm/day; Extremely heavy rain: more than 204.4 mm/day

(ii) Wind warning

o   12^th June: Wind speed is very likely to become gale wind speed reaching 135-145 kmph gusting to 160 kmph over eastcentral & adjoining northeast Arabian Sea by 12^thJune. It is very likely to be 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph over Gujarat Coast from 12^thmorning and become gale wind speed reaching 145-155 kmph gusting to 170 kmph by 12^th night. It is very likely to be 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph over Maharashtra Coast.

o   13^th June: Gale wind speed of the order of 145-155 kmph gusting to 170 kmph very likely over north Arabian Sea & Gujarat coast in morning hours and decrease gradually thereafter. It is very likely to be 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph over north Maharashtra Coasts & northern parts of eastcentral Arabian Sea.

(iii) Sea condition

o   The sea condition is very likely to become very high to phenomenal over eastcentral & adjoining northeast the Arabian Sea & Gujarat coast from 12th June and over north Arabian Sea on 13^th June 2019.

o   The Sea condition is very likely to very rough to high along & off Maharashtra Coast on 12^th & 13^th June, 2019.

(iv) Fishermen Warning

o   The fishermen are advised not to venture into Eastcentral Arabian Sea and along & off Maharashtra Coast on 12^th; northeast Arabian sea and along & off Gujarat coast on 12^th & 13^th.

(iv) Storm Surge Warning

Storm surge of height of about 1.5-2.0 m above the astronomical tides likely to inundate the low lying coastal areas of Kutch, Devbhoomi, Dwarka, Porbandar, Junagarh, Diu, Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts at the time of landfall.

(v) Damage Expected and Action suggested for Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Porbandar, Rajkot, Junagarh, Diu, Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts of Gujarat:

(i) Total destruction of thatched houses/extensive damage to Kutcha houses. Some damage to pucca houses. Potential threat from flying objects.(ii) Bending/uprooting of power and communication poles. (iii) Major damage to Kutcha and  Pucca roads. Flooding of escape routes. Minor disruption of railways, overhead power lines and signalling systems.(iv) Widespread damage to standing crops, plantation, orchards, falling of green coconuts and tearing of palm fronds. Blowing down bushy trees like mango.(v) Small boats, country crafts may get detached from moorings.(vi) Visibility severe affected.

Action suggested:

(i) Regulate road & rail traffic

(ii) Total suspension of fishing operations.

(iii) Evacuation from low lying areas of the above-mentioned Districts, coastal Hutment dwellers, urban slum dwellers and people staying in unsafe houses to safer places. People in affected areas to remain indoors.

(iv) Movement in motor boats & small ships unsafe.

(v) Inundation of low lying areas in the along the coasts due to heavy rainfall and storm surge.