Mundra: Due to a sudden change in weather and strong winds across Gujarat, a serious situation developed at Mundra Port in Kutch on Thursday. Amid the Meteorological Department’s forecast of thunderstorms and gusty winds, a storm-like atmosphere prevailed in parts of Kutch since early morning, severely affecting operations and infrastructure at the port.

A large cargo vessel belonging to MSC Company, anchored at the CT3 terminal of Mundra Port, failed to withstand the impact of the strong winds. Due to the high wind speed, the mooring ropes of the ship snapped, causing the vessel to drift out of control in the water.

Ship’s mooring rope snaps at Mundra Port, containers overturn in gusty windshttps://t.co/k3gAYC03sc pic.twitter.com/XDSqYjSXqJ

— DeshGujarat (@DeshGujarat) March 19, 2026

Not only the vessel, but several heavy cargo containers stacked at the port were blown away by the strong winds, with some containers overturning due to the intensity of the gusts. Considering the seriousness of the situation, the port administration immediately imposed a complete restriction on vehicle movement inside the port premises and instructed employees to move to safe locations.

The impact of the sudden storm-like weather was not limited to the port area. Strong winds and rain were reported in Lakhpat, Abdasa, Bhuj, and Nakhatrana talukas of Kutch district. Due to the untimely rain, farmers suffered damage to standing crops, including pomegranate, mango, wheat, fennel, and isabgul.

Reports have also emerged of mobile towers collapsing in the Kandla area due to strong winds. DeshGujarat