Cyclone Nisarga to make landfall today; Mumbai on high alert

Just about two weeks after cyclone Amphan ravaged parts of Odisha and West Bengal, cyclone Nisarga is all set to make its landfall on Wednesday (June 3) afternoon, near Alibaug, along with wind speeds ranging above 100 kms per hour, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Alibaug is 100 kms away from Mumbai. Parts of Gujarat too are likely to be affected by the cyclone.

The IMD has also said that the cyclone might intensify by afternoon. Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Dhule, Nandurbar and Nashik districts of Maharashtra are on red alert, with the Met department forecasting the “possibility of extremely heavy rain at isolated places”.

Scores of people have been moved to safer places and the city of Mumbai has been put on high alert. Prime Minister Modi had a telephonic conversation with the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Gujarat besides the administrator of Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli to assure them them of all possible help to tide over the crisis.

“PM @narendramodi has spoken to CM of Maharashtra Shri Uddhav Thackeray, CM of Gujarat Shri @vijayrupanibjp and Administrator of Daman Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli Shri @prafulkpatel regarding the cyclone situation. He assured all possible support and assistance from the Centre,” the PMO tweeted.

Maharshtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray called upon people to stay safe.

“The cyclone could be more severe than the ones the state has faced till now. Tomorrow (Wednesday) and the day after are crucial in coastal areas. Activities which had resumed (as part of easing of lockdown) will be kept shut there for the next two days, people should remain alert,” Thackeray said.

To deal with any eventuality, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel have been deployed in the region. With one NDRF team comprising 45 personnel, over 30 NDRF teams have been deployed along Maharashtra and Gujarat coasts.

According to NDRF Director General SN Pradhan, “NDRF teams have conducted an evacuation of the population in very early morning hours on Wednesday at Koliwada, Alibaug.”

Meanwhile, five trains that were to depart from Mumbai Terminal have been rescheduled, and 2 trains that were scheduled to arrive here have been regulated and one train has been diverted, said the Indian Railways.