Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said that the depression over the south-east and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area is expected to intensify into cyclone Nisarga. The cyclone will change to a severe cyclonic storm. This will bring extremely heavy rainfall, along with strong winds.
Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg districts and neighbouring areas in Konkan will be affected. Drizzle has already started in the Marine Drive area.
The IMD has issued alert for Mumbai as cyclone inches closer. On Sunday, the weather department had issued an orange alert for Mumbai and Thane for June 3 and a red alert for Palghar of Maharashtra.
Isolated places adjoining Mumbai may receive a heavy amount of rainfall as well. Mumbai hasn’t experienced a serious cyclone since 1891.
The vulnerability of Mumbai increases even more because it is densely packed, low lying city wholly exposed to the sea. The low lying areas are at higher risk of flooding and even the heavy rains lead to difficult situations. Moreover, Maharashtra is already battling with COVID-19 pandemic with more than 70,000 cases reported.
According to India today, The IMD has also predicted that the eye of the Cyclone Nisarga will pass through Alibag in Maharashtra, south of Mumbai.
It is also monitoring whether the cyclone will be as intense as the Amphan cyclone which hit West Bengal in India and parts of Bangladesh.
Preparation for the Cyclone.
“Central and state government agencies are trying to take all possible steps to prevent damage. We’re advising fishermen in Maharashtra, Kerala, coastal Karnataka, Gujarat, Goa, and Lakshadweep to avoid venturing out to the sea till Thursday. Those out should return immediately, as the sea can be very rough for the next three days,” said Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director-general, IMD
“We can expect very heavy to extremely heavy rains (more than 20 centimeters in all these districts of Maharashtra. Inundation is also expected in low-lying areas,” he added.
National Disaster Response Force Director General SN Pradhan said the evacuation of people from coastal areas in Maharashtra and Gujarat will begin soon, NDTV reported on Tuesday. The storm may cause major damage to thatched houses, huts, power and communication lines, and coastal crops, the weather department has said.
Senior government officials told Mint that around 200 disaster response and rescue teams are on standby to respond to potential crisis situations due to the cyclone. Ten units of Natural Disaster Response Force have been deployed in districts with high alert. Union Minister of Home Affairs promised the Chief Minister of Gujarat all possible help over a video conference call.