Cyclone 'Maha' is likely to make a landfall on the Gujarat coast between Dwarka and Diu any time between November 6 midnight and November 7 morning, even as coast guard has been put on alert and widespread to heavy rainfall has been predicted, especially in Saurashtra region between November 6 and 8.
According to IMD report, the cyclone is 550 kilometer away from Veraval coast. The speed of the cyclone is expected to be 100-120 km per hour when it makes a landfall.
Fishermen have been alerted and warned not to venture in the sea. However, there are reports of several boats not returning to the coast.
Apart from the coast guard has been put on alert in the Saurashtra region, NDRF has been put on alert in Vadodara. Fishermen in South Gujarat coastal areas have also been asked not to venture into the sea. Tourists have been asked to stay away from the beaches.
Cyclone 'Maha' is expected to cause further damage to crops like groundnut that were damaged due to nonseasonal rainfall in the last few days.
The state government has postponed the purchase of groundnut at minimum support price as a survey would be undertaken to give compensation for the damage due to those farmers who are covered under crop insurance and have paid premiums.
An emergency control room has been set up in state capital Gandhinagar.