Cyclone storm 'Mukda' weakens off Gujarat coast

Rajkot, Sept 24: Cyclone storm 'Mukda,' which was likely to hit Kutch, Porbandar and Jamnagar, today weakened.

Around midnight, the storm lay stationary about 280 kms southwest of Porbandar and is likely to move in a northeasterly direction toward Gujarat coast, according to Kutch control room sources.

Following this the weather office has asked ports to change great danger signal number nine to danger signal six at the ports. However, fishing operations have been stopped completely as precautionary measure. Heavy to very heavy rains are likely at some isolated places in Junagadh, Porbander, Jamnagar and Kutch districts, during the next 24 hours.

Official sources said wind speeds of 70 to 90 kmph are expected at Junagadh, Porbandar, Jamnagar and Kutch districts from the earlier predicted 90 to 100 kmph. Coastal areas of these districts could see tidal waves of about six meters.

In Kutch 16,000 people have been evacuated so far to safer places. Alert in Kutch will continue till the end of the day, according to control room sources.

The State government has kept its machinery fully alert to meet any exigency and is closely monitoring the cyclone.

UNI

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