Cyclone Vayu intensifies into a 'very severe cyclonic storm': Gujarat coast, Diu region to witness thunderstorm and heavy rains on 13th June

Cyclone Vayu is fast moving towards the north and is expected to hit the Gujarat coast between around Veraval with wind speed up to 120 kmph. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said that the Cyclone Vayu has intensified into a 'very severe cyclonic storm' and will make landfall on June 13. 

Anticipating the impact of Cyclone Vayu, schools and colleges have declared a holiday on June 13, the day the cyclone will hit Gujarat.

The met department has issued a warning of heavy rains and high winds at a speed of over 110 kilometres on June 13 and 14 in coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch. Orange alerted cyclonic storm is expected to bring widespread rain all along India’s western coast, as per IMD.

"I request the tourists visiting Gujarat and going to Dwarka, Somnath, Sasan, Kutch, to leave for safer places after the afternoon of June 12 so that you don't get harmed due to the cyclone. If it is possible, you can go back, it is a request," said Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani.

Read: Gujarat On 'cyclone Vayu Alert': CM Vijay Rupani Asks Tourists To Move To Safe Places As Cyclone Likely To Hit With A Wind Speed Of 110-120 Kmph 

Rescue agencies prepared: 

NDRF is closely monitoring the development and has mobilised 36 teams for pre-positioning in the vulnerable locations of Gujarat and Daman & Diu in consultation with local governments.

"All NDRF teams are fully equipped with various types of cutting, flood rescue equipment, V-SAT & Satellite communication equipment for rescue and relief operations," the NDRF said in a statement.

NDRF battalions stationed in nearby states are also being kept on stand-by and directed to keep a close watch over the situation, the statement said.

Moreover, the IAF C-17 aircraft which planned to airlift about 160 personnel of NDRF from Vijayawada landed at Jamnagar with the team to carry out the humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) missions for the people affected by Cyclone Vayu in the state. 

Indian Coast Guard, the Navy, Army, and Air Force units have also been put on standby and surveillance aircraft and helicopters are carrying out aerial surveillance.

Read: Cyclone Vayu: As IMD Issues Warning, Home Ministry Takes Stock Of States' Preparedness

Home Minister Amit Shah takes stock of states' preparedness:

After IMD's issuing warning over Cyclone 'Vayu' hitting the Western Coast on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness of State and Central government to deal with the concerned to deal with the situation arising out of Cyclone ‘Vayu’.

In the meeting Shah has directed officers to prepare safety evacuation measures, and also directed the Indian Coast Guard, Navy, Army & Air Force to keep their control rooms functioning and on standby to carry out aerial surveillance when necessary.