Gujarat: IAF deploys 140 personnel in Jamnagar ahead of cyclone Maha

The Indian Air Force on Tuesday deployed multiple teams in the Jamnagar city of Gujarat, as an alert for cyclonic storm 'MAHA' was issued.  The IAF has deployed around 140 personnel and they have also arranged for 8 tonnes of relief material. The force is also sending 100 more persons to Ahmedabad for the further dispersion of the rescue and relief operations in the state.

According to the NDRF's Twitter handle, in total, 35 teams have been deployed in the state of Gujarat and the Diu district of Union territory Daman and Diu.

On Monday, IMD had predicted Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm 'MAHA' may intensify further till the morning of November 5 and then may weaken gradually. The fishermen of the region have also been advised to not venture into the central and northeast Arabian Sea and the Andaman Sea.

READ | Cyclone 'Maha' may weaken before Nov 7 landfall on Gujarat coast

Extreme Weather Conditions

Extreme weather conditions are also likely to prevail in Amreli, Gir-Somnath, Junagadh, Anand, Ahmedabad, Botad and Rajkot districts. State Agriculture Minister R C Faldu said district officials were directed about the steps to be taken in the wake of the possible impact by Maha. "Ministers would be assigned different districts and they will leave for those districts by Monday evening to oversee the relief operations," he said. Meanwhile, in Surat city, municipal authorities have started removing hoardings as part of precautionary measures. Citizens were also asked not to go near Dumas beach or visit areas near the Tapi river. Devbhumi-Dwarka District Collector N K Meena held a meeting of top officials and instructed them not to leave their assigned places.

A similar exercise was also conducted by authorities of other districts. "Naval units in Gujarat are also on standby to render assistance sought by civil authorities in anticipation of the cyclonic storm Maha making landfall on the state coast," a defence release stated.

"The Western Naval Command has also kept four ships of the Western Fleet loaded with HADR material ready to render assistance as and when required. The Naval authorities in Gujarat are in constant liaison with civil authorities following SOPs to ensure seamless coordination," it added.

READ | Cyclone Maha: Cabinet Secy chairs NCMC meeting to review preparedness

READ | IMD: Gujarat coast to receive heavy rainfall due to 'Maha' Cyclone

READ | IMD: A few places over Guj, Maha to receive rainfall on Nov 6 and 7

(With agency inputs)