IMD forecasts cyclonic storm off Gujarat coast, asks fishermen not to venture into sea till Oct 2

Ahmedabad, Sep 29: A well-marked low pressure area over south Gujarat was likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm, the IMD said on Wednesday, and asked fishermen not to venture into the Arabian Sea off the state coast and suggested total suspension of fishing activities till October 2.

It also asked fishermen who were out in the sea to return to the coast by Wednesday evening.

Several parts of south Gujarat and Saurashtra region received heavy rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted more widespread showers in the state in the next two days.

A few places in Amreli, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Jamnagar districts of Saurashtra, as well as Anand, Bharuch, among others, likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rainfall during the next two days, the IMD said in its latest forecast.

In a special bulletin issued in the afternoon, the IMD said the remnants of cyclonic storm ''Gulab'' lay as a well-marked low pressure area over south Gujarat region and the adjoining Gulf of Khambhat at 8.30 am on Wednesday.

"It is very likely to move west-northwestwards, emerge into the northeast Arabian Sea and intensify into a depression by Thursday. It is then very likely to move further west-northwestwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours. Thereafter, it is likely to continue to move west-northwestwards towards Pakistan-Makran coast, moving away from the Indian coast," it said.

The IMD warned fishermen not to venture into the north Arabian Sea off Gujarat coast from Wednesday to Saturday and suggested total suspension of fishing activities there during the period.

It also asked fishermen who were out in the sea to return to the coast and move to safer places by Wednesday evening.

Gujarat has so far received 90 per cent of its average annual rainfall, the state''s Special Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said.

In the 24-hour period ending at 6 am on Wednesday, Surat''s Umarpada taluka received 218 mm rainfall and Palsana got 192 mm rain.

Several parts of Dangs, Valsad, Narmada, Ahmedabad, Anand, Tapi and other districts also received very heavy showers on Tuesday, the SEOC said.

In six hours since 6 am Wednesday, heavy rainfall was recorded in parts of Bharuch and Navsari districts in south Gujarat, and Amreli and Bhavnagar in Saurashtra, as per the SEOC data.

Bharuch taluka of the district received 95 mm rainfall, Rajula in Amreli recorded 78 mm, and Jafrabad in Amreli district 69 mm rainfall.