Tropical Cyclone “VAYU” in the East Arabian Sea has intensified as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) and moved further north-northwestward during last 6 hours, now lay centered around Lat.18.N and Long.70.0E at 0800PST of 12 June 2019 at a distance of about 725 km southeast of Karachi. The maximum sustained surface winds are 135-145 km/hour gusting to 160 km/hour around the system centre.

TC VAYU is likely to continue to move in northerly direction. Under the influence of this system, widespread Dust/Thunder-showers with scattered heavy to very heavy falls are expected in southeast Sindh (Thatta, Badin and Tharparkar districts) on Thursday and Friday. While scattered/isolated Dust-thundershowers may occur in rest of Sindh during the period.

The seabreeze is likely to remain cutoff on Thursday-Friday (13-14 June) which can lead to heatwave like conditions in coastal areas of Sindh including Karachi.

The fishermen of Sindh are advised not to venture in open sea during Wednesday evening to Friday evening, as the sea conditions are likely to be very rough/high.

Note: All concerned authorities of Sindh province are requested to remain alert and take precautionary measures during coming days regarding the impact of TC VAYU. </s> Mumbai and some neighbouring coastal areas of Maharashtra witnessed a windy Wednesday morning as cyclone 'Vayu' turned into a "very severe cyclonic storm", the weather department said.

As the cyclone continued to progress towards Saurashtra and Kutch regions of neighbouring Gujarat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded its severity condition.

"Cyclone Vayu has turned into a very severe cyclonic storm. It would cause gusty winds to blow at a speed of 145 kmph to 170 kmph by Thursday morning," the IMD said.

Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) started landing in Gujarat with the help of the Indian Air Force to undertake preventive evacuation of people living on the west coast, an IAF official said.

Because of the cyclonic storm, the Arabian Sea has turned turbulent and bigger waves are advancing towards coastal areas, the IMD said.

Huge sea waves lashed Devbaug village in Malvan tehsil of Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district on Wednesday.

An official at the district collectorate said since Devbaug is located in a low-lying area, it often gets inundated when the sea is rough, and maintained that so far the situation is under control.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday reviewed the preparations for cyclone Vayu, which is expected to make landfall in Gujarat on Thursday, and directed officials to ensure all possible steps for the safety of people.

The Indian Coast Guard, the Navy, Army and Air Force units have been put on standby and surveillance aircraft and helicopters are carrying out aerial surveillance, an official earlier said. </s> KARACHI: Tropical Cyclone “Vayu” in the East Arabian Sea has intensified as ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’ (VSCS) and is currently located at a distance of about 725 km from Karachi, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said in an update issued to media on Wednesday.



The PMD said that cyclone has moved further north-northwestward during last the six hours. It now lay centered around Lat.18.N and Long.70.0E at 0800PST of 12 June 2019 at a distance of about 725 km southeast of Karachi and is likely to continue to move in northerly direction, the PMD stated.

The maximum sustained surface winds are 135-145 km/hour gusting to 160 km/hour around the system centre.

Under the influence of this system, widespread Dust/Thunder-showers with scattered heavy to very heavy falls are expected in southeast Sindh (Thatta, Badin and Tharparkar districts) on Thursday and Friday. While scattered/isolated Dust-thundershowers may occur in rest of Sindh during the period.

The seabreeze is likely to remain cutoff on Thursday-Friday (13-14 June) which can lead to heatwave like conditions in coastal areas of Sindh including Karachi.

The fishermen of Sindh are advised not to venture in open sea during Wednesday evening to Friday evening, as the sea conditions are likely to be very rough/high.

The Met Office has also advised all the concerned authorities of Sindh province to remain alert and take precautionary measures during coming days regarding the impact of TC Vayu. </s> A storm formed over the Arabian Sea, close to the Lakshadweep islands, intensified into a deep depression on June 10. It is likely to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by June 12.

The cyclone, to be called Vayu, is heading northwards towards Gujarat, parallel to India’s western coast. The cyclonic storm is likely to bring heavy rainfall along the western coast, according to the Indian Metrological Department (IMD). The name was given by India, according to the naming convention.

According to the IMD, Cyclone Vayu was around 630 kilometres south-southwest off Mumbai, Maharashtra at 11.30 pm on June 10. It is likely to cross the Gujarat coast early morning on June 13, the IMD added. The storm is expected to peak on June 13 when the wind speed could reach 135 kilometres per hour (kmph).

The IMD has issued an “orange” alert for Cyclone Vayu, indicating that it does not expect the storm to cause much damage on land. However, the warning means that fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea till the storm subsides. An advancement of the storm is likely to stall monsoon further in northern parts of India.

Gujarat has been put on alert. The state government has decided to deploy 15 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch from June 11 morning.

The severe cyclonic storm is likely to cause heavy rains and winds in the coastal districts of Saurashtra, such as Amreli, Dwarka, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Porbandar and Kutch.

The government has also put the Army, the Navy and the Coast Guard on alert. </s> Cyclone Vayu has formed in the Arabian Sea and is expected to impact the western Indian state of Gujarat.

The storm that began to show signs of developing this past weekend has strengthened with current wind speeds of 102 kilometres per hour, gusting to 130 km/h, making it equivalent to a tropical storm.

Currently Vayu is 480km southwest of Mumbai and moving to the north.

The warm waters of the Arabian Sea, which are currently averaging 30 degrees Celsius, will continue to allow Vayu to gradually strengthening before making a possible landfall. Winds could strengthen to as high as 165 km/h with stronger gusts, potentially making the cyclone the equivalent strength of a Category 2 hurricane.

There is still some question on where and when Vayu could make landfall. If the storm continues on its northerly route, then the southwestern coast of Gujarat could see a landfall as soon as Wednesday evening.

But if the storm begins to track a little more to the west, then it may actually stay just off the coast of western Gujarat and continue to head towards southwestern Pakistan later in the week.

In either scenario, there are storm risks that will be affect coastal India. Seas will continue to build in the eastern Arabian Sea making it increasingly dangerous for fisherman. Dangerous riptides along coastal areas will be a factor from Kerala to Gujarat through the week.

The India Meteorological Department is forecasting a 1 to 1.5 metre storm surge, on top of normal astrological tides, for coastal Maharashtra and Gujarat states.

Most of the heavy rain will remain off shore, but as the storm nears Gujarat, rain showers are likely to come onshore across the Kathiawar peninsula, a relatively mountainous area where flash flooding and mudslides could occur.

Gujarat is not immune to tropical cyclones, but a direct landfall of this strength or greater hasn't happened since 1998.

In June of that year, a cyclone with winds of 195 km/h came ashore with a storm surge of 4.9 metres and was responsible for more than 10,000 deaths because of severe flooding. Many of those were salt mine workers who didn't own radios and were unaware of the approaching storm.

One unusual knock on effect from the approaching storm will be the increasing temperatures for southeastern Pakistan.

The counter-clockwise circulation will mean an easterly flow over the region, allowing much hotter and drier air to move over the area. Temperatures for Karachi could reach as high as 40C in coming days, 11 degrees above its normal average. </s> 00:55 Hurricane Season Has Peaked, Here’s What to Expect Until Nov. The Atlantic hurricane season has reached its climatological peak. Here’s what you can expect for the second half of the season.

At a Glance Vayu's outer rainbands are lashing parts of India's northwestern coastline.

It's moving away from India, but it could turn back toward northwestern India and southeastern Pakistan this weekend.

More than a quarter-million people were evacuated ahead of Vayu. Tropical Cyclone Vayu is moving away from northwestern India's Gujarat state, but outer rainbands and gusty winds continue to lash parts of the coastline.

More than a quarter-million people were evacuated from several towns and villages in harm's way along India's western coast, according to the Associated Press. This was done with assistance from 39 National Disaster Response teams that were deployed to the region.

(MORE: Residents Urged to Evacuate in Northwestern India)

On the forecast track, Vayu will move away from India's Gujarat state into this weekend. Western India is 9.5 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time in the United States.

However, outer rainbands may continue to produce locally heavy rain and gusty winds at times.

The track of Vayu is more uncertain late this weekend into early next week, and it could turn back toward northwestern India or southeastern Pakistan. It will be weakening but will also likely be moving slowly, which could result in prolonged heavy rainfall.

Tropical Cyclone Strikes Are Infrequent on Far Northwestern India's Coast

Vayu didn't officially make landfall in Gujarat state, but it would have been a rare occurrence if it did. Landfalling tropical cyclones are not very common along northwestern India's Gujarat coast, and stronger tropical cyclones with hurricane-force winds are even rarer.

There have been just three tropical cyclones on record to make landfall in this region of India as a Category 2 or stronger equivalent, according to NOAA's tropical cyclone database. The last one was a Category 3 tropical cyclone, which made landfall in Gujarat in May 1999. </s> The India Meteorological Department on Tuesday said a deep depression over the south-east Arabian Sea near Lakshadweep has intensified into a cyclonic storm and is expected to intensify over the next 24 hours.

The cyclonic storm, named Vayu, is likely to head northwards towards Gujarat as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 110-120 km per hour. It is likely to hit Gujarat on Thursday morning, the weather department said.

The IMD has advised fisherfolks not to venture into the sea. It also advised those out in the deep sea to return to the coast. Ports have been also asked to flag a danger signal.

Private weather forecaster Skymet said: “With long sea travel, low vertical wind shear, and warm sea surface temperatures, the probable cyclone is further expected to gain strength and intensify into a Severe Cyclone Storm.” It also said most places in Gujarat like Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Gandhinagar, Bhuj, Surat, and Veraval would see light showers on June 12 and 13.

Gujarat has been put on alert following the weather department prediction. The state government has decided to deploy National Disaster Response Force personnel in coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch from Tuesday morning, PTI reported. It added that the government will also put the Army, the Navy and Coast Guard on alert.

“We have alerted all district collectors of coastal Gujarat to take immediate steps keeping in mind the likelihood of a cyclone,” said Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue, Pankaj Kumar.

Gujarat is at present reeling under severe heat wave. The maximum temperatures in major cities, including Ahmedabad, touched 43 degrees Celsius since the last week of May.

The advancement of the storm is likely to stall monsoon further in northern parts of India. </s> Indian authorities are bracing for a severe cyclone strengthening in the Arabian Sea that's set to make landfall in the western state of Gujarat as India's second major storm of the season.

The India Meteorological Department said on Wednesday that Cyclone Vayu was due to hit the Gujarat coast early on Thursday with winds gusting up to 170km an hour.

Gujarat's chief minister Vijay Rupani requested on social media that tourists leave coastal areas by Wednesday afternoon. Authorities said more than a quarter of a million people living in low-lying areas would be evacuated.

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By contrast, more than a million people were evacuated ahead of Cyclone Fani, which hit India's eastern coast on the Bay of Bengal in May, killing 34 people.

Gujarat is home to large refineries and sea ports that lie near the storm’s path, officials said.

India's Sikka Ports and Terminals Ltd, which handles crude oil and refined products for Reliance Industries Ltd, closed berthing of vessels at its western Indian port on Wednesday due to a cyclone warning, according to a port notice and a shipping industry source.

India's biggest oil refinery, owned by Reliance Industries, is also based in Gujarat. A Reliance executive on Tuesday said the cyclone is expected to weaken by the time it reaches the Jamnagar-based refinery.

Sikka ports also handle oil and refined products cargo for Bharat Oman Refineries Ltd, a subsidiary of Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd.

"Berthing operation have been stopped. Most of the vessels have already been moved out as a safety precaution," a shipping industry source told Reuters news agency. The port would be closed for at least one or two days, the source said.

A spokesperson for Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd on Tuesday said it was preparing to move employees at two ports it runs in the state to safer areas.

"Our Mundra and Tuna ports will be closest to the path. The disaster management plan has been put into action and all the necessary precautions are being put in place including evacuation of staff if the need arises," the spokesman said.

Gujarat braces for storm

The warm waters of the Arabian Sea will continue to allow Vayu to gradually strengthen before making possible landfall, potentially making the cyclone the equivalent strength of a Category 2 hurricane.

The India Meteorological Department is forecasting a 1-1.5-metre storm surge, on top of normal astrological tides, for coastal Maharashtra and Gujarat states.

Most of the heavy rain will remain off shore, but as the storm nears Gujarat, rain showers are likely to come onshore across the Kathiawar peninsula, a relatively mountainous area where flash flooding and mudslides could occur.

Gujarat is not immune to tropical cyclones, but a direct landfall of this strength or greater has not happened since 1998.

In June of that year, a cyclone with winds of 195km an hour came ashore with a storm surge of 4.9 metres and was responsible for more than 10,000 deaths because of severe flooding.

One unusual knock-on effect from the approaching storm will be the increasing temperatures for southeastern Pakistan.

The counter-clockwise circulation will mean an easterly flow over the region, allowing much hotter and drier air to move over the area. Temperatures for Karachi could reach as high as 40C in coming days, 11 degrees above its normal average. </s> A heavy rainfall warning has been issued in parts of Gujarat in the next few days due to a depression in the Arabian Sea which is likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm, a MeT official said on Monday.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea in the next few days and ports have been asked to flag the danger signal, he said.

“Heavy rain warning has been issued for Saurashtra and Kutch on June 13 and 14 due to the depression in the Arabian Sea which will turn into a severe cyclonic storm,” state meteorological director Jayanta Sarkar told reporters here.

The depression over south-east, adjoining Lakshadweep and east-central Arabian Sea moved northwards with a speed of about 31 kmph on Monday.

It lay centered at 8.30 am on Monday near latitude 12.5N and longitude 71.0E over east-central and adjoining south-east Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area, about 240 km northwest of Aminidivi (Lakshadweep), 760 km south-southwest of Mumbai (Maharashtra) and 930 km south-southeast of Veraval (Gujarat), a release of the MeT department said.

It is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next six hours, into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours and into a severe cyclonic storm thereafter. It is likely to move north-northwestwards during next 72 hours, it said.

“It is very likely to cause an adverse impact in terms of wind and rainfall over Saurashtra and Kutch, mainly on June 13 and 14,” the release said.

Gujarat is at present reeling under severe heat wave as the maximum temperature in major cities, including Ahmedabad, has been over 43 degrees Celsius since last week of May.

Sarkar said the severe cyclonic storm is likely to cause heavy rains and winds in the coastal districts of Saurashtra, like Bhavnagar, Amreli, Junagadh, Jamangar, Porbandar, Dwarka and also Kutch.

“We have asked the state government to issue a warning to fishermen that they should not venture into the sea and have also asked those who are in sea to come back immediately.

We have also asked all the ports to display the danger signal number 1,” he said.

Also read: Cyclone Vayu to turn into severe storm today, may bring heavy rain to southern coast

The setting of monsoon will be further delayed in Gujarat after the cyclonic storm, he said.

The monsoon usually sets the state around June 15. But as it got late to arrive in Kerala this year, it was expected to be delayed by a week in Gujarat.

However, the cyclone could disturb its advancement and further delay the monsoon, another official said.
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Vayu is in the Arabian Sea less than 600 miles south-southeast of Karachi, Pakistan, and is strengthening as it heads north. Vayu is expected to be a Category 2 or 3 storm when it approaches the Indian state of Gujarat early Thursday (local time), then should weaken as it approaches southeastern Pakistan over the weekend.