Local Cautionary Signal LC-III hoisted at Gujarat ports; fishermen warning issued

Ahmedabad: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a five-day fishermen warning for the Gujarat coast from August 1 to August 5, citing vigorous monsoon conditions and a steep pressure gradient that are likely to generate squally weather and rough sea conditions along and off the state’s coastline.

Following the IMD warning, port authorities have hoisted Local Cautionary Signal (LC)-III at all ports along the North and South Gujarat coasts. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the warned sea areas during the specified period.

Wind & Sea Conditions

Along the North Gujarat coast, covering Jakhau, Mandvi (Kutch), Mundra, New Kandla, Navlakhi, Salaya, Okha, Bedi, Sikka (Jamnagar), Porbandar and nearby areas, southwesterly to westerly winds of 50–60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, are likely on August 1, with the sea expected to remain high with rough to very rough conditions. On August 2, squally winds of 45–55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, are likely. No warning has been issued for August 3 to 5.

Similar conditions are expected along the South Gujarat coast, including Muldwarka, Veraval, Diu, Jafrabad, Pipavav, Port Victor, Bhavnagar, Alang, Bharuch, Dahej, Magdalla and Daman. Winds of 50–60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, are forecast on August 1, followed by 45–55 kmph with gusts up to 65 kmph on August 2. The sea is expected to remain high with rough to very rough conditions.

Warnings for Other Sea Areas

The IMD has also warned of squally weather over the Maharashtra coast, adjoining the Karnataka and Kerala coasts, Lakshadweep, the Comorin area, and the adjoining southeast Arabian Sea. Winds of 45–55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, are expected over most of these areas on August 1 and 2.

For the open sea, squally winds of 45–55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, are likely over and off the Somalia and Oman coasts, much of the central and west-central Arabian Sea, and parts of the north, northeast and east-central Arabian Sea throughout the five-day warning period.

High Wave Alert

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has also issued high wave alerts for several stretches of the Gujarat coast.

High waves of 3.0–3.2 metres are forecast along the Amreli coast (Rohisa to Patva), while waves of 3.1–3.4 metres are expected along the Devbhumi Dwarka (Vadinar to Harshad Miyani), Gir Somnath (Madhavpur to Mul Dwarka), Junagadh North (Shil to Chorwad), Junagadh South (Rajpara to Saiyad Rajpara) and Kachchh (Lakhpat to Kandla) coasts. The alerts remain in force until 11:30 pm on August 2.

Authorities have advised fishermen, marine operators and the public to exercise caution and avoid venturing into the sea during the warning period. DeshGujarat