Tropical storm 'Nisarga' to turn cyclone and make a landfall tonight, Mumbai on alert

After Amphan cyclone has thrashed West Bengal and Odisha states in the two weeks back, yet another cyclone lined up this time to west coast districts. Going into details, the tropical storm "Nisarga", which is heading towards Maharashtra and Gujarat coasts is likely to intensify into a cyclone in the coming six hours and is likely to landfall close to

Mumbai on Wednesday. As per the statistical data, this will be the first cyclone to impact India's financial capital Mumbai.

On the other hand, the IMD predicted that it may further intensify into a "severe cyclonic storm" in the next 24 hours and Mumbai and neighbouring districts have been placed on high alert.

"The depression over east central Arabian Sea moved northwards with a speed of 11 kmph during past 06 hours intensified into a deep depression and lay centered at 0530 hours IST of today, the 02nd June, 2020 over Eastcentral Arabian Sea near latitude 15.0 N and longitude 71.2 E about 280 km west-southwest of Panjim (Goa), 490 km south-southwest of Mumbai (Maharashtra) and 710 km south-southwest of Surat (Gujarat)," the IMD said this morning.

While as many as 30 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, which comprises of 45 personnel have been deployed in both the states.

"Gujarat has asked for five more teams. By this evening, 15 NDRF teams would be deployed in Gujarat and two are on standby. Ten teams are deployed in Maharashtra and six teams are on standby. Evacuation process and awareness drive has been initiated," NDRF Director-General S N Pradhan said today.

Going by the details, Nisarga is a severe cyclone the jolts with a wind speed of 90-100 kmph, which is negotiable,"

The weather department said that the storm surge is as high as two metres above the astronomical tide - will inundate the low-lying coastal areas of Mumbai, Thane and Raigad districts during the landfall.

Fishermen have been alerted and advised not to go for fishing at any cost and also directed officials to ensure there is no loss of life. The weather department further said that the storm would cause major damage to thatched houses, huts, power and communication lines and coastal crops.