Kutch: After being lashed by heavy rains on Thursday, coastal Kutch is bracing itself for a likely cyclone as the deep depression over the Surat-Kutch region moves west toward Pakistan and is expected to intensify into a cyclone today. Cautionary warning Signal No. 3 has been raised at the Mundra, Kandla, and Jakhau ports due to the possible storm in Kutch. The mobile network has also been severely affected by heavy rain and wind in the Mandvi, Abdasa, and Lakhpat talukas.

The cyclone, named Asna by Pakistan, is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Kachchh and adjoining districts of Saurashtra on August 30th (today). The Mandvi, Abdasa, and Lakhpat talukas of the district are likely to be affected by the cyclone, and the district collector has appealed to people living in mud houses and huts in these areas to move to a safe place. He has also requested the community to provide shelter for these individuals until 4 PM today.

According to the IMD, very rough to high sea conditions are expected over the northeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea off the Gujarat and Pakistan coasts from August 30th to September 1st.

Fishermen are advised not to venture into the northeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea, or along and off the Gujarat, adjoining Pakistan, and north Maharashtra coasts until August 31st, as well as in the northeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea off the Gujarat coast and along and off the Pakistan coasts during August 30th to September 1st.

Gale winds with speeds reaching 65-75 km/h, gusting to 85 km/h, are likely over the northeast Arabian Sea off the Gujarat and Pakistan coasts. These winds are expected to increase to 70-80 km/h, gusting to 90 km/h, from the morning of August 31st until the morning of September 1st, gradually decreasing thereafter. Meanwhile, squally winds with speeds reaching 45-55 km/h, gusting to 65 km/h, are likely over the districts of the South Gujarat region and Saurashtra & Kutch.

The Chief Minister also held a meeting at the State Emergency Operation Center on Thursday night to review the potential storm situation.

Due to the impact of the possible storm in Kutch district, the famous pilgrimage site Narayan Sarovar in the Koteshwar area is witnessing strong currents in the sea. High winds and large waves have been affecting the coastal area since morning. DeshGujarat