Cyclone VAYU to hit Gujarat coast this afternoon

In Gujarat, cyclone Vayu is likely to hit the Veraval coast by today afternoon with a wind speed of 155-165 kmph.

The state government along with security agencies have geared up to reduce the damage of cyclone. So far, 2 lakh 75 thousand people have been shifted to safer places. Meanwhile, many parts in Saurashtra and south Gujarat witnessed rainfall in the morning ahead of the landfall of the Cyclone.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani visited the Gandhinagar control room yesterday midnight and held a meeting with district collectors of Saurashtra and Kutch through Video Conference.

He asked the officials to ensure 100 per



cent evacuation of people and cattle living up to 10 kilometres from the sea shore.

Total 47 teams of NDRF have along with military forces have been operational in the state. Meanwhile, flight operations at airports in Porbandar, Diu, Bhavnagar, Keshod and Kandla have been suspended till today midnight.

The Western Railway has also decided to short-terminate or cancel some of its trains passing through areas of Gujarat that are likely to be affected by cyclone 'Vayu'. Several parts of the state including Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Dang, Sabarkantha are witnessing rainfall from the morning.