Surat: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning advising fishermen against venturing into the sea along the Gujarat coast for the next five days. The warning comes as strong winds and squally weather are expected to prevail under the influence of a steep pressure gradient over the Arabian Sea.

According to the IMD’s marine weather bulletin issued on Wednesday morning, the warning will remain in force from July 1 to July 5. Rough to very rough sea conditions are likely along both the North Gujarat and South Gujarat coasts during this period.

Along the North Gujarat coast, covering ports such as Jakhau, Mandvi (Kutch), Mundra, New Kandla, Navlakhi, Salaya, Okha, Bedi, Sikka (Jamnagar) and Porbandar, strong southwesterly to westerly winds of 40-50 kmph are expected on the first day. From July 2 onwards, squally weather with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, is likely to continue through July 5.

A similar warning has been issued for the South Gujarat coast, including Muldwarka, Veraval, Diu, Jafrabad, Pipavav, Port Victor, Bhavnagar, Alang, Bharuch, Dahej, Magdalla and Daman. The IMD has forecast squally weather with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, throughout the five-day period. Sea conditions are expected to remain very rough along and off the South Gujarat coast.

Meanwhile, the department has urged fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea in the warned areas until the weather improves. No swell surge or high wave alert has been issued separately by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS). DeshGujarat