Cyclone Warning for Lakshadweep Islands
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CYCLONE OCKHI IN GUJARAT LIVE UPDATES: CYCLONE OCKHI WEAKENS, MAY NOT HIT GUJARAT COAST, SAYS IMD
The National Disaster Management Authority of India said in a series of tweets on Tuesday that the cyclonic storm Ockhi is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards, weaken gradually and cross south Gujarat and adjoining north Maharashtra coasts near Surat as a deep depression by nightfall.
It also advised fishermen to not venture into the sea along and off South Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts during next 24 hours as the sea condition is expected to be very rough.
The agency also tweeted that damage is expected in south Gujarat's Valsad, Surat, Navsari, Bharuch, Dang, Tapi, Amreli, Gir- Somnath and Bhavnagar districts; Daman, Diu; Dadra, Nagar Haveli; and north Konkan Districts of Maharashtra (Palghar, Thane, Raigarh, and Greater Mumbai).
Meanwhile, the authorities have also cancelled all leave for medical and emergency personnel. NDRF teams are already on standby.
Follow LIVE updates of Cyclone Ockhi's landfall in Gujarat here:
11:16 am: Water levels in rivers to rise
The Water Resources Ministry issued a statement saying that water level is expected to rise in the Godavari basin, Damanganga and its tributaries, Mahi river and its tributaries in Gujarat, Sabarmati basin, east flowing rivers between Mahanadi and Godavari rivers, Krishna river and its tributaries and in the basin of river Pennar, due to heavy rains brought by Ockhi.
Wednesday, 12:05 am: Cyclone Ockhi weakens, may not hit Gujarat coast: IMD
Cyclone Ockhi is gradually weakening into a depression and may not hit the Gujarat coast near Surat as predicted earlier, the Meteorological Centre said here tonight.
Cyclonic storm Ockhi has already turned into a "deep depression" and may hit south Gujarat only as a "depression" late tonight, according to an official statement.
The deep depression is located around 240 kms south-southwest of Surat.
"The deep depression over east-central Arabian Sea moved further north-northeastwards with a speed of 18 km/hour during the past six hours and lay centred over east-central Arabian Sea near latitude 19.4o N and longitude 71.5o E, about 240 km south-southwest of Surat and 150 km west-northwest of Mumbai," the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast said.
"It is very likely to continue to move north- northeastwards, weaken further and cross south Gujarat and adjoining north Maharashtra coasts near Surat as a depression by tonight (5th December 2017)," the bulletin read.
However, there is also a probability of dissipation of the system over the sea before the landfall due to unfavourable environmental conditions, like high wind shear and colder sea surface temperatures near the coast, it added.
Regional IMD officials said the cyclone had already weakened into a deep depression.
"The cyclone has already weakened into a deep depression and it is highly likely that it will turn into a depression. There are possibilities that it does not hit the coast at all and, as there is a probability of dissipation over the sea before the landfall," Jayanta Sarkar, director of the MeT office here, said.
"The system weakened mainly because of unfavourable environmental conditions, like high wind shear and colder sea surface near the coast. The system weakened because it is winter. The story would have been different had it occurred during the monsoon or pre-monsoon season," he said.
The IMD release said that the deep depression would bring light to moderate rain in several parts of state for the next three days as the sea condition would remain rough for the next 18 hours.
The MeT Centre cautioned fishermen from venturing into the sea for the next 18 hours.
After dumping rains in Mumbai, Cyclone Ockhi was likely to make a landfall near Surat. Several top political leaders were forced to cancel their rallies in the poll-bound state, which experienced showers.
Although the cyclone has weakened, the state administration has made all the preparation to meet any eventuality.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupnai travelled to Surat and took a review meeting of preparations to deal with the situation.
Around 1,600 people have been shifted to safer places in Surat, officials said adding that the security forces - NDRF, BSF, Army, Navy and Coast Guard have been alerted to take all necessary steps.
"Conducted review meeting with officials in view of Ockhi cyclone at Surat. Instructed them to leave no stone unturned to counter any adverse situation...No need to panic," Rupani tweeted.
10:05 pm: Cyclone Ockhi brings clouds, downpour to Rajasthan
Clouds shielded the Jaipur sky and a cold breeze kept people packed inside their houses on Tuesday due to the severe impact of cyclonic storm Ockhi.
According to Met Department officials, the cyclone makes an impact on the far-flung regions also and, therefore, cold wave and clouds gripped Rajasthan as well as Madhya Pradesh.
Some parts of the states also witnessed downpour.
The weather will remain harsh on Wednesday also. However, the cyclone is expected to weaken significantly in the next 24 hours as it approaches the coastline of Gujarat.
The maximum temperature on Wednesday will be 22 degrees Celsius while the minimum will be 15 degrees.
Meanwhile, from Thursday, the weather will be clear.
Nights will turn colder in Rajasthan while days will be warmer from Thursday onwards, said Met officials.
9:02 pm: EC issues directive on assembly polls in view of cyclone Ockhi
The Election Commission on Tuesday asked poll authorities in Gujarat to ensure that voters in assembly seats falling in the path of cyclone Ockhi are able to cast exercise their franchise on December 9 without inconvenience despite inclement weather.
Citing a weather bulletin, the poll panel pointed out that the movement of the cyclonic depression over parts of Gujarat is likely to be accompanied by a wet spell over the next three-four days.
In a letter to the chief electoral officer of Gujarat, the commission said considering the cyclone alert and the scheduled first phase of polls on December 9, "besides making effective arrangements for immediate relief and rehabilitation, adequate, effective and fool-proof arrangements may also be made... towards the smooth and efficient conduct of the election process".
It said the authorities should also ensure that all the voters are "able to exercise their franchise without any inconvenience".
8:20 pm: EC taking precautions to ensure voters do not face inconvenience due to cyclone in state
The Election Commission is taking all precautions and is in continuous discussion with State government to ensure that voters do not face inconvenience due to cyclone for the first phase of polls to be held on December 9: Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain.
8:15 pm: Cyclone 'Ockhi' expected to have low impact in Gujarat: Maharashtra
The Union Home Ministry on Tuesday said that Cyclone Ockhi was not expected to have high impact in Gujarat which is geared "for the worst sitation" caused by the landfall of the disaster hitting the state's coastal areas in Surat city on Tuesday midnight.
"The cyclone is not expected to have high impact in Gujarat's coastal areas. There is possibility of moderate to heavy rain tonight (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday) morning with wind speed around 50-70 km/hour," a Home Ministry official said.
Gujarat state authorities, however, have taken several precautionary measures against the backdrop of the cyclone leaving a trail of destruction in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Schools have been ordered to remain closed in the region till Wednesday. The Coast Guard has called back around 13,000 fishing boats that ventured into the seas on Monday evening.
"The state is fully prepared for the worst situation, if it arises. Right now the Ockhi cyclone is 390 km from Surat and is predicted to hit the city around midnight," Gujarat's Principal Secretary, Revenue, Pankaj Kumar told reporters in Gandhinagar.
The official said the wind velocity was expected to reach around 60 to 70 km, or even "up to even 80 km per hour in the coastal areas of Surat and Valsad".
Five teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and one of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been stationed at Surat and other coastal areas.
The authorities have also halted works at some 510 construction sites. The administration is preparing to erect small towers for uninterrupted cellular services.
When Ockhi hits the state, it is expected that sea waves could reach heights of up to two meters.
8 pm: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani conducted review meeting with officials in Surat
7 pm: PM Modi postpones campaign rally in Surat
PM Narendra Modi has rescheduled his campaign rally in Surat due to Cyclone Ockhi. He was scheduled to address a public meeting in Surat on Wednesday at 6 pm but he will now do so on Thursday at 1 pm. Surat goes to polls on Saturday in the first phase of the elections.
6:40 pm: Surat Municipal Corporation asks residents to stay indoors
Surat Collector says Ockhi is 300 km away from Surat and its effects will be visible by late evening. Rain will intensify gradually. Due to deep depression, the cyclone's speed is likely to reduce. By the time it reaches Surat city, wind speed is expected to be 30-35 km.
Surat Municipal Corporation has issued a directive saying that the cylone's effect is likely to last from Tuesday evening till Wednesday morning and hence residents should not leave the house unless it is an unavoidable emergency.
6:20 pm: School holiday in Surat, parts of Ahmedabad
The state government has declared that all schools in Surat will stay closed on Wednesday. Schools in 16 villages in Ahmedabad will also stay closed on account of Cyclone Ockhi.
6:05 pm: PM Narendra Modi calls for BJP party workers to help those affected by cyclone
6 pm: Cyclone Ockhi affects poll rallies
With the state going to polls in a few days' time, the impact of the worsening weather is already apparent. BJP leader Amit Shah's poll rallies scheduled on Tuesday in Rajula town of Amreli and Mahuva and Shihor of Bhavnagar district were cancelled, as were Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's rallies in Morbi, Dhrangadhra and Surendranagar. He only addressed the crowd at Anjar.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari's roadshow in Bapunagar area of Ahmedabad was also cancelled due to light showers since early morning, Bapunagar MLA Jagroopsinh Rajput said.
The BJP has also called off rallies and press conferences of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Surat.
Former Congress strongman Shankersinh Vaghela, who floated his Jan Vikalp front, was also forced to cancel his roadshows and rallies that were to be held in Junagadh, and Mahuva and Palitana towns of Saurashtra, a leader of his outfit said.
Though Vaghela was supposed to reach Surat on Tuesday night, he dropped his plan due to the approaching cyclone.
Cyclone Ockhi in Gujarat Live Updates: Cyclone Ockhi weakens, may not hit Gujarat coast, says IMD - Ahmedabad Mirror
The National Disaster Management Authority of India said in a series of tweets on Tuesday that the cyclonic storm Ockhi is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards, weaken gradually and cross south Gujarat and adjoining north Maharashtra coasts near Surat as a deep depression by nightfall.
It also advised fishermen to not venture into the sea along and off South Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts during next 24 hours as the sea condition is expected to be very rough.
The agency also tweeted that damage is expected in south Gujarat's Valsad, Surat, Navsari, Bharuch, Dang, Tapi, Amreli, Gir- Somnath and Bhavnagar districts; Daman, Diu; Dadra, Nagar Haveli; and north Konkan Districts of Maharashtra (Palghar, Thane, Raigarh, and Greater Mumbai).
Meanwhile, the authorities have also cancelled all leave for medical and emergency personnel. NDRF teams are already on standby.
Follow LIVE updates of Cyclone Ockhi's landfall in Gujarat here:
11:16 am: Water levels in rivers to rise
The Water Resources Ministry issued a statement saying that water level is expected to rise in the Godavari basin, Damanganga and its tributaries, Mahi river and its tributaries in Gujarat, Sabarmati basin, east flowing rivers between Mahanadi and Godavari rivers, Krishna river and its tributaries and in the basin of river Pennar, due to heavy rains brought by Ockhi.
Wednesday, 12:05 am: Cyclone Ockhi weakens, may not hit Gujarat coast: IMD
Cyclone Ockhi is gradually weakening into a depression and may not hit the Gujarat coast near Surat as predicted earlier, the Meteorological Centre said here tonight.
Cyclonic storm Ockhi has already turned into a "deep depression" and may hit south Gujarat only as a "depression" late tonight, according to an official statement.
The deep depression is located around 240 kms south-southwest of Surat.
"The deep depression over east-central Arabian Sea moved further north-northeastwards with a speed of 18 km/hour during the past six hours and lay centred over east-central Arabian Sea near latitude 19.4o N and longitude 71.5o E, about 240 km south-southwest of Surat and 150 km west-northwest of Mumbai," the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast said.
"It is very likely to continue to move north- northeastwards, weaken further and cross south Gujarat and adjoining north Maharashtra coasts near Surat as a depression by tonight (5th December 2017)," the bulletin read.
However, there is also a probability of dissipation of the system over the sea before the landfall due to unfavourable environmental conditions, like high wind shear and colder sea surface temperatures near the coast, it added.
Regional IMD officials said the cyclone had already weakened into a deep depression.
"The cyclone has already weakened into a deep depression and it is highly likely that it will turn into a depression. There are possibilities that it does not hit the coast at all and, as there is a probability of dissipation over the sea before the landfall," Jayanta Sarkar, director of the MeT office here, said.
"The system weakened mainly because of unfavourable environmental conditions, like high wind shear and colder sea surface near the coast. The system weakened because it is winter. The story would have been different had it occurred during the monsoon or pre-monsoon season," he said.
The IMD release said that the deep depression would bring light to moderate rain in several parts of state for the next three days as the sea condition would remain rough for the next 18 hours.
The MeT Centre cautioned fishermen from venturing into the sea for the next 18 hours.
After dumping rains in Mumbai, Cyclone Ockhi was likely to make a landfall near Surat. Several top political leaders were forced to cancel their rallies in the poll-bound state, which experienced showers.
Although the cyclone has weakened, the state administration has made all the preparation to meet any eventuality.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupnai travelled to Surat and took a review meeting of preparations to deal with the situation.
Around 1,600 people have been shifted to safer places in Surat, officials said adding that the security forces - NDRF, BSF, Army, Navy and Coast Guard have been alerted to take all necessary steps.
"Conducted review meeting with officials in view of Ockhi cyclone at Surat. Instructed them to leave no stone unturned to counter any adverse situation...No need to panic," Rupani tweeted.
10:05 pm: Cyclone Ockhi brings clouds, downpour to Rajasthan
Clouds shielded the Jaipur sky and a cold breeze kept people packed inside their houses on Tuesday due to the severe impact of cyclonic storm Ockhi.
According to Met Department officials, the cyclone makes an impact on the far-flung regions also and, therefore, cold wave and clouds gripped Rajasthan as well as Madhya Pradesh.
Some parts of the states also witnessed downpour.
The weather will remain harsh on Wednesday also. However, the cyclone is expected to weaken significantly in the next 24 hours as it approaches the coastline of Gujarat.
The maximum temperature on Wednesday will be 22 degrees Celsius while the minimum will be 15 degrees.
Meanwhile, from Thursday, the weather will be clear.
Nights will turn colder in Rajasthan while days will be warmer from Thursday onwards, said Met officials.
9:02 pm: EC issues directive on assembly polls in view of cyclone Ockhi
The Election Commission on Tuesday asked poll authorities in Gujarat to ensure that voters in assembly seats falling in the path of cyclone Ockhi are able to cast exercise their franchise on December 9 without inconvenience despite inclement weather.
Citing a weather bulletin, the poll panel pointed out that the movement of the cyclonic depression over parts of Gujarat is likely to be accompanied by a wet spell over the next three-four days.
In a letter to the chief electoral officer of Gujarat, the commission said considering the cyclone alert and the scheduled first phase of polls on December 9, "besides making effective arrangements for immediate relief and rehabilitation, adequate, effective and fool-proof arrangements may also be made... towards the smooth and efficient conduct of the election process".
It said the authorities should also ensure that all the voters are "able to exercise their franchise without any inconvenience".
8:20 pm: EC taking precautions to ensure voters do not face inconvenience due to cyclone in state
The Election Commission is taking all precautions and is in continuous discussion with State government to ensure that voters do not face inconvenience due to cyclone for the first phase of polls to be held on December 9: Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain.
8:15 pm: Cyclone 'Ockhi' expected to have low impact in Gujarat: Maharashtra
The Union Home Ministry on Tuesday said that Cyclone Ockhi was not expected to have high impact in Gujarat which is geared "for the worst sitation" caused by the landfall of the disaster hitting the state's coastal areas in Surat city on Tuesday midnight.
"The cyclone is not expected to have high impact in Gujarat's coastal areas. There is possibility of moderate to heavy rain tonight (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday) morning with wind speed around 50-70 km/hour," a Home Ministry official said.
Gujarat state authorities, however, have taken several precautionary measures against the backdrop of the cyclone leaving a trail of destruction in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Schools have been ordered to remain closed in the region till Wednesday. The Coast Guard has called back around 13,000 fishing boats that ventured into the seas on Monday evening.
"The state is fully prepared for the worst situation, if it arises. Right now the Ockhi cyclone is 390 km from Surat and is predicted to hit the city around midnight," Gujarat's Principal Secretary, Revenue, Pankaj Kumar told reporters in Gandhinagar.
The official said the wind velocity was expected to reach around 60 to 70 km, or even "up to even 80 km per hour in the coastal areas of Surat and Valsad".
Five teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and one of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been stationed at Surat and other coastal areas.
The authorities have also halted works at some 510 construction sites. The administration is preparing to erect small towers for uninterrupted cellular services.
When Ockhi hits the state, it is expected that sea waves could reach heights of up to two meters.
8 pm: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani conducted review meeting with officials in Surat
7 pm: PM Modi postpones campaign rally in Surat
PM Narendra Modi has rescheduled his campaign rally in Surat due to Cyclone Ockhi. He was scheduled to address a public meeting in Surat on Wednesday at 6 pm but he will now do so on Thursday at 1 pm. Surat goes to polls on Saturday in the first phase of the elections.
6:40 pm: Surat Municipal Corporation asks residents to stay indoors
Surat Collector says Ockhi is 300 km away from Surat and its effects will be visible by late evening. Rain will intensify gradually. Due to deep depression, the cyclone's speed is likely to reduce. By the time it reaches Surat city, wind speed is expected to be 30-35 km.
Surat Municipal Corporation has issued a directive saying that the cylone's effect is likely to last from Tuesday evening till Wednesday morning and hence residents should not leave the house unless it is an unavoidable emergency.
6:20 pm: School holiday in Surat, parts of Ahmedabad
The state government has declared that all schools in Surat will stay closed on Wednesday. Schools in 16 villages in Ahmedabad will also stay closed on account of Cyclone Ockhi.
6:05 pm: PM Narendra Modi calls for BJP party workers to help those affected by cyclone
6 pm: Cyclone Ockhi affects poll rallies
With the state going to polls in a few days' time, the impact of the worsening weather is already apparent. BJP leader Amit Shah's poll rallies scheduled on Tuesday in Rajula town of Amreli and Mahuva and Shihor of Bhavnagar district were cancelled, as were Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's rallies in Morbi, Dhrangadhra and Surendranagar. He only addressed the crowd at Anjar.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari's roadshow in Bapunagar area of Ahmedabad was also cancelled due to light showers since early morning, Bapunagar MLA Jagroopsinh Rajput said.
The BJP has also called off rallies and press conferences of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Surat.
Former Congress strongman Shankersinh Vaghela, who floated his Jan Vikalp front, was also forced to cancel his roadshows and rallies that were to be held in Junagadh, and Mahuva and Palitana towns of Saurashtra, a leader of his outfit said.
Though Vaghela was supposed to reach Surat on Tuesday night, he dropped his plan due to the approaching cyclone.
Cyclone Ockhi in Gujarat Live Updates: Cyclone Ockhi weakens, may not hit Gujarat coast, says IMD - Ahmedabad Mirror
Members here in the affected places - please take care
Out of Topic - why isn't INS INS Jalashwa be used? ... She is ideal for this role yes?
Out of Topic - why isn't INS INS Jalashwa be used? ... She is ideal for this role yes?
My daughter is flying thru this cyclone to search and rescue fishermen.
We dont want to divert some aircrafts and ships to find her from the bottom of the sea in the middle of this!!
Prays with Her and your family!
And Above All "Thanking Her for Her Service to our Nation"
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