Over 8,000 evacuated as Cyclone Phet expected to hit Gujarat coast on Friday

TNN, Jun 3, 2010, 04.13am IST

AHMEDABAD/PUNE: Alarm bells rang throughout Gujarat, as cyclone Phet intensified to a very severe cyclonic storm causing strong winds, thunderstorm and rainfall across the state in a dramatic switch from the sweltering heat on Wednesday. Phet could possibly hit Gujarat coast on Friday, the weatherman warned.

Over 8,000 people were evacuated from Kandla and Tuna in Kutch district in view of the advancing cyclone. Three fire brigade teams with rescue vehicles were dispatched to Junagadh, Porbandar and Jamnagar for any eventuality. One person, Sabbir Pateliya (35) drowned in the sea off Jamnagar coast. Power cuts were reported from parts of Saurashtra.

Weather officials said while warnings have been issued, a cyclone alert which is issued 48 hours before its likelihood, might be issued later.

Met officials, tracking the cyclone, said the system which is lying 1,060km southwest of Naliya in Kutch, 1,100km southwest of Karachi, Pakistan, and 600 km south-southeast of Sur, Oman, has intensified into a very severe cyclone. While the warning for fishermen was maintained for another 48 hours, a Distant Port Warning (No 2 level) was issued all along Gujarat's 1,600km long coastline.

"The system is predicted to intensify further and head in a north-northwesterly/ northerly direction close to Oman coast and then recurve northeastwards towards Pakistan and adjoining Gujarat coast, skirting Oman coast. The cyclone is expected to hit the coast between Pakistan and Gujarat on or after June 4," said Gujarat-based India Meteorological Department (IMD) director Kamaljit Ray. It would cause widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rain in the coastal areas accompanied by gale winds with speeds reaching 65-75kmph.

On Tuesday, 25-35kmph speed winds blew over parts of the state. Almost all of Gujarat experienced light to heavy rainfall and windy weather.

Several parts of Saurashtra, especially Junagadh and Rajkot districts, and south Gujarat including Surat saw heavy rains. Maximum rain of 58mm was reported from Junagadh accompanied by stormy winds. Rain was also reported from Jamnagar, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Porbandar, Surat, Valsad, Banaskantha, Mehsana and Kutch.

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