Light rains in Gujarat, Maharashtra as Cyclone Ockhi approaches the two states
In Mumbai, schools closed and people advised against visiting beaches
AMN
A high alert has been issued in Gujarat and Maharashtra in view of Cyclone Ockhi. Sea conditions will remain rough to very rough along and off north Maharashtra and South Gujarat coasts till tomorrow.
Light rains which started yesterday evening continue to drench Mumbai and its suburbs. The city also experienced a drop of two degrees Celsius in temperatures. The vehicular movement in the city is normal. According to officials, the train services of the Central Railway, the Western Railway are running smoothly, while trains on the Harbour corridor are running late by 5 to 10 minutes. The bus services of the BEST are also running smoothly.
According to MeT officials, though the centre of the cyclone is around 600 km from Mumbai but its cloud band has spread along the coastal areas. The IMD has said the intensity of rains will increase as the cyclone approaches. The state government has declared a holiday today for schools and colleges in Mumbai and adjoining districts due to “serious weather predictions” in view of Ockhi.
The disaster management unit of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued an advisory against visiting beaches in view of the high tide alert. In view of the warning about the Cyclone in Western Coastal areas of state including Western Railway’s Suburban section of Palghar District, Western Railway has fully geared up for all necessary precautions and suitable arrangements. Central Railways too has made elaborate arrangements. Patrolling of the railway tracks has also been intensified over various rail sections. The Disaster Management Cell has been kept in readiness of any emergency with all necessary arrangements.
On the eastern part, there is a forecast of Normal to very heavy Rainfall at most places over Nicobar Islands and many places over Andaman Islands during the next two days. Sea conditions will be rough to very rough till tomorrow around Nicobar Islands. Fishermen along and off Nicobar Islands and off Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu coasts are advised not to venture into the sea till tomorrow.
Meanwhile Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has said 2604 fishermen from Kanyakumari district who where stranded mid-sea due to cyclone Ockhi have been rescued. He reviewed the relief and rehabilitation measures in the worst affected Kanyakumari district via video-conferencing yesterday. Mr Palaniswami assured that in the next 48 hours, power supply will be resumed in the whole district.