Gandhinagar, Jun 13 (UNI) Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that the 'danger' of cyclonic storm VAYU was gone as it has fortunately changed its direction and according to MeT forecast it has changed course towards Oman but as a precautionary measure the system kept on alert in 10 coastal districts will remain so till next 24 hours.

Addressing the newsmen here tonight Rupani said that the decision has been taken in the high powered committee meeting.

He said that all the around 3 lakh people shifted from the low lying areas would remain in shelters tonight and a call about them would be taken at 8 am tomorrow after the review of situation. He said that even though the danger of the storm was gone yet the likelihood of heavy rain owing to evaporation and increased humidity in the 10 coastal districts could not be ruled out so precautionary measures and alertness till next 24 hours should be there. It has also been decided to keep the schools in these districts closed even tomorrow.

'We need to remain alert tonight,' he said.

To a query he said that not even a single loss of life has been reported due to the impact of the storm. He also said that no major loss of property has also been reported but the government would look in to it pro-actively.

When asked about the apprehensions expressed by the met officials about further delay in arrival of monsoon in Gujarat in the wake of the storm, Rupani said that one can't do anything in the matter of nature. 'It is nature. But I have repeatedly said that we have enough water for drinking purposes in Gujarat till July 31. We can only have problem if the monsoon was delayed even beyond that time,' he said.

CM Rupani said that PM Narendra Modi had made a phone call from abroad today and inquired about the situation. Even though he was told that the direction of the storm was changed, he assured of all the assistance from center if the need arose. Gandhinagar, Jun 13 (UNI)

Earlier in the morning IMD center Director Jayant Sarkar had said that even though the severe cyclonic storm VAYU, has changed direction and would not hit the Gujarat coast yet the 'danger' was far from over.

He said that the number 9 signals on several ports of Gujarat showing very high level of danger which were still on. There will be heavy to very heavy rain and wind speed would be very high even though the storm won't touch the Gujarat coast.

'But the dangers associated with it were still very much there. It is far from over. The cyclone situated at 110 km south west of Vervala coast was now moving towards Oman coast. But it would pass from close quarters of our coast,' he had said.

'It did not matter whether or not the cyclone hits the coast, the real concern during a cyclone is heavy rain fall and wind speed. For the next 3 days there was likelihood of heavy to very heavy rain and high speed wind. Today morning the wind in Veraval gusted up to 70kmph which was quite high,' he added.

Notably, more than 3 lakh people from the coastal areas of Gujarat have been shifted to safer places in the wake of the approaching cyclone coastal areas and all precautions should be taken,' he said.

Of the 2251 villages where electricity supply was disrupted in the wake of approaching cyclone VAYU, it has been restored in 1924 villages by 6am this morning.

According to an statement released by the state government, of the 904 faulty electric feeders, 697 have also been made operational again.


Of the 566 affected electric poles, 230 have been repaired.

The restoration of electricity in remaining villages was also being done.

Among the affected villages 258 were in Chhota Udepur district, 129 in Devbhoomi Dwarka, 189 in Gir Somnath, 105 in Jamnagar, 118 in Junagadh,240 in Mahesana, 317 in Patan, 135 in Sabarkantha and 263 were in Surat district.

In the past 24 hours ending at 0800 hrs this morning, a total of 108 talukas in Gujarat have experienced rainfall with Patan in North Gujarat recording the highest of almost 2 inches (45mm) while from 0800 hrs to 1800 hrs today 49 more talukas have seen rain with highest 41 mm in Talaja of Bhavnagar district.

IMD center Director Jayant Sarkar said that there would be more spells of rain in next two days.

'The rain in Southern Gujarat and Saurashtra Kutch region could be attributed to the approaching cyclone VAYU, but the rain in Northern part of Gujarat won't be due to it. Infact the rain in Northern part of the state would be caused by the presence of western disturbances,' he added.
UNI RAJ ASN 2223