In a major relief for Gujarat, ‘very severe’ cyclone Vayu which was headed towards the state changed its course overnight on Thursday and skirted off the coast of Saurashtra towards Oman.
The cyclone is, however, likely to retain its intensity until Friday evening, after which it will start to weaken, according to the India Meteorological Department. The cyclone lay centred nearly 120km south of Porbandar at 2:30pm on Thursday, after which it crossed the edge of Saurashtra coast with wind-speed of 135-145kmph moving north-northwestwards towards Oman.
Strong winds 90-100km per hour gusting up to 110kmph hit the Saurashtra coast affecting Gir Somnath, Diu, Junagarh, Porbandar and Devbhoomi Dwarka as the cyclone moved north-northwestwards. Heavy rains continue to lash the region, uprooting trees and damaging hutments near the coast.
“The cyclone has made a small deviation, but its effect remained with strong winds and heavy rain," said M. Rajeevan, secretary, ministry of earth sciences.