Mumbai: Just over a month after severe cyclonic storm Fani devastated parts of Odisha, another severe cyclonic storm termed as Vayu is about to hit Souther-Western coast of India.
The deep depression over Eastcentral and adjoining Southeast Arabian Sea & Lakshadweep area intensified into Vayu and is expected to affect Aminidivi (Lakshadweep), Mumbai (Maharashtra) and Veraval (Gujarat). It is very likely to intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during the next 24 hours, informed IMD’s latest bulletin. It is very likely to move nearly northwards and cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around Veraval & Diu region as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speed 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph during the early morning of 13th June.
IMD has advised fishermen to not venture into the southeast Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep area along & off Kerala and Karnataka coasts on 11th June; east central Arabian Sea along & off Maharashtra coast on 11th & 12th June and over the northeast Arabian Sea.
Vayu is much weaker than Fani. At its strongest, it is likely to generate winds of speed 110-120 km per hour, according to current forecasts. In contrast, winds associated with Fani had speeds of about 220 km per hour.
While Vayu is unlikely to result in widespread destruction, it is a cause for concern for a different reason. It is likely to halt the northward progression of the monsoon for a few days. The arrival of the monsoon has already been delayed, hitting the Kerala coast on June 8 instead of June 1.
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Ms Kalinga