Mass evacuation in Gujarat and Diu as ‘VAYU’ landfall looms

GUJARAT, JUNE11: In anticipation of impending disaster government rescue agencies will be evacuating

over three lakh people from Gujarat and Diu in light of the 'severe cyclonic storm' Vayu which is

expected to make landfall in the morning of June 13, the Home Ministry said on Tuesday. A deep

depression over the Arabian Sea which brewed over the past two days had intensified into a cyclonic

storm.

"The weather department's latest bulletin forecasts that cyclone Vayu will make landfall... early in the

morning on June 13," senior state official JN Singh was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.

"We have identified 2.91 lakh (291,000) people living in low-lying areas of 10 coastal districts who will be

evacuated by Wednesday afternoon. All schools and colleges in the coastal districts of Saurashtra and

Kutch would remain closed on June 12 and June 13 as a precautionary measure," he further said.

According to the AFP report, 67 shelter homes have been set up to accommodate displaced individuals.

The cyclonic storm, named Vayu, is expected to intensify as it makes landfall in the western state in the

early hours of Thursday. During the landfall, the wind speeds are expected to touch 135 kmph

accompanied by heavy rains and thunderstorm. Damage to infrastructure and crops is anticipated.

Earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting following which the Home Ministry issued detailed

advisories to Gujarat and Diu. The MHA statement said that the evacuated people are expected to be

sheltered in close to 700 temporary camps across the states. 39 teams of National Disaster Response

Force (NDRF) and 34 teams of the Army have been kept on standby for relief and rescue operation.

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