A deep depression over the Arabian Sea, which brewed over the past two days, has intensified into a cyclonic storm and is likely to hit the Gujarat coast on Thursday morning, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday.
Cyclone Vayu is further likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours, the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD said in a bulletin issued on Tuesday morning.
"It is very likely to move nearly northward and cross the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around Veraval and Diu region as a severe cyclonic storm with wind speed of 110-120kmph gusting to 135kmph during early morning of June 13," the bulletin said.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a warning of heavy rains and high winds at a speed of over 110kmph on Thursday and Friday in coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch.
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The Gujarat government is on high alert for Cyclone Vayu. It deployed National Disaster Response Force personnel in the coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch on Tuesday morning.
It has advised fishermen against venturing into the sea in the next few days while ports have been directed to flag a danger signal.
