Cyclone Nisarga: Shah meets NDMA officials; 9 NDRF teams deployed

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Monday (June 1) deployed nine teams in in Maharashtra, in a bid to be prepared for the developing cyclone situation in Arabian sea.

The nine teams – three in Mumbai, two in Palghar, one each in Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg – were deployed after the Indian Meteorological Department warned about the depression in the Arabian Sea likely to intensify into a severe cyclone.

‘Cyclone Nisarga’ is expected to make a landfall in the north Maharashtra and south Gujarat coasts on June 3 and impact Mumbai extensively.

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To avoid any unprecedented circumstances, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also held a review meeting with officials of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on preparedness for dealing with Cyclone Nisarga.

Related news: Depression in Arabian Sea to intensify into severe cyclonic storm; will impact Mumbai

The depression will intensify into a deep depression – the third and fourth stage of any cyclone formation – by this evening. It will intensify into a cyclonic storm by June 2, the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD said.

“It (the storm) is very likely to move nearly northwards initially till June 2 morning and then recurve north-northeastwards and cross north Maharashtra and south Gujarat coasts between Harihareshwar (Raigad, Maharashtra) and Daman during evening/night of June 3,” the Cyclone Warning Division said.

The nearly 260 km patch between Raigad and Daman has one of the highest population densities in the country.

Apart from Mumbai, it also has satellites cities like Thane, Navi-Mumbai, Panvel, Kalyan-Dombivli, Mira-Bhayander, Vasai-Virar, Ulhasnagar, Badlapur and Ambernath.

“It will have an impact on Mumbai,” IMD director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told PTI.

When it crosses the coast on the evening of June 3, it will have a speed of 105-110 kmph, the IMD said.

Heavy rains are also expected in south Gujarat and coastal Maharashtra.