Gujarat braces for cyclone Nilofar

NEW DELHI: Gujarat will shift people from coastal regions to safer places starting Tuesday, said state authorities, as a cyclone developed over the Arabian Sea is expected to make landfall in Kutch district on Friday, packing winds of 100-110 kmph.

On Monday, Cyclone Nilofar lay centred about 1,170 km southwest of Naliya in Kutch, 1,230 km south-southwest of Karachi in Pakistan and 880 km east - southeast of Oman’ Salalah. It would move north-westwards and then re-curve north-eastwards and cross north Gujarat and adjoining Pakistan coast around Naliya on Friday morning, the met department said. Gujarat’s coastal districts are expected to get heavy rainfall as the cyclone approaches.

Authorities have told ports along the Gujarat coast, including Mundra, Kandla, Mandvi and Porbander, to be prepared for any eventuality. "Port operation are going on as present and will continue," said an official of the Gujarat Maritime Board.

Mundra is the biggest private port in India. The region also houses companies, including manufactures of steel, fertiliser, chemical and pipes along the industrial towns of Lakhpat, Mandvi, Kandla, Ghandhidham and Mundra.

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said the state government is ready to face the cyclone. "Fishermen have been called back. We have taken all precautions," she said.

Parimal Nathwani, Rajya Sabha MP and Reliance Industries group president (corporate affairs and projects), said they had faced two cyclones in the last 12 years and didn't expect any major damage to operations. "The state government is monitoring the situation and we expect things to be normal once the landfall occurs," he said.

"Iffco Kandla faced severe cyclone in 1998 which we successfully withstood. I am confident that cyclone Nilofar will be handled better," said US Awasthi, managing director of India's largest fertiliser company.