Mumbai on alert as Maharashtra, Gujarat brace for Cyclone Nisarga
Mumbai/IBNS: Just two weeks after Cyclone Amphan devastated West Bengal and Odisha, now Maharashtra and Gujarat are likely to be hit by Cyclone Nisarga on Wednesday afternoon.
Turning into a severe cyclonic storm, India Metereological Department (IMD) said it is heading towards Alibag in Raigad district with a wind speed of 100 to 110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.
As per latest bulletin released by IMD, the cyclone is 155 kms south-southwest of Alibag and 200 kms south-southwest of Mumbai.
“The landfall location will be very close to Alibag but extensive damage can be expected in Mumbai also. For Mumbai, Thane and Raigad there can be storm surge of 1-2 metres and a warning for extremely heavy rainfall has been issued,” M Mohapatra, director general IMD,was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
The cyclone is likely to hit the state of Maharashtra at a time when it is already ravaged by COVID-19 outbreak.
CYCLONE “NISARGA” INTENSIFIED INTO A SEVERE CYCLONIC STORM AND LAY CENTERED AT 0530 HRS IST OF TODAY, THE 03RD JUNE 2020, OVER EAST-CENTRAL ARABIAN SEA NEAR LAT. 17.30°N AND LONG. 72.10°E, ABOUT:
— IMD Weather (@IMDWeather) June 3, 2020
165 KM SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF ALIBAG.
215 KM SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF MUMBAI. pic.twitter.com/ejaXUnTVFW
Meanwhile, more than 10,000 people have been moved to safer locations.
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray has urged people to stay indoors.
"All fishermen on the coastline have been contacted and have returned home. They will not be able to venture into the sea for at least two days. Though the cyclone may make landfall at Alibag, everyone from Mumbai to Sindhudurg and Palghar must be on alert," he said s tweeted by Maharashtra CMO handle.
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