The whole of India was badly affected by summer and the water crisis that accompanied it. Hence, Cyclone Vayu, which is likely to make landfall in Gujarat Thursday, brings more hopes than fear, as it is expected that the rain would help people tide over the crisis. Meanwhile, the Gujarat administration is on high alert to deal with ‘Vayu’. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Tuesday said people living in the coastal belt would be shifted to safer places.
As per weather reports, Vayu is ‘very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm’ and hit the State’s coast 13 June. Rupani told reporters in Gandhinagar that the entire coastline, starting from Kutch to south Gujarat, has been put on ‘high alert’. The officials are in touch with the Odisha government to learn and implement the disaster management techniques adopted by them when Cyclone Fani hit the eastern coastal State recently, he said.
“We have cancelled the leave of all the employees and asked them to join duty. After the Cabinet meet tomorrow, all the ministers will go to various districts to oversee relief and rescue operations,” he said. The CM added: “June 13 and 14 are crucial for us. We have roped in the Army, NDRF, Coast Guard and other agencies for rescue and relief work. To minimise human casualty, we will start shifting people living in coastal areas to safer locations from tomorrow.” Gujarat ports and transport department’s principal secretary Sunaina Tomar said a disaster management plan has been put in place at all ports of the State.
“We have installed power generators at all the ports. Cargo and Ro Ro ferry operations have been halted. Leave of port and transport employees has been cancelled,” said Tomar. While the steps taken by the government are appreciable, it is everyone’s hope that the cyclone also bring in sufficient rain.