70 Trains Cancelled In Gujarat As Cyclone Vayu Inches Closer To Coastline

Seventy trains in Gujarat have been cancelled and twenty-eight have been partially cancelled by the railways as Cyclone Vayu inches closer to the state’s coastline. The cancellation of the trains will come into effect from today evening at 6 pm for two days for the areas which will be affected after Cyclone Vayu hits Gujarat’s coastline. Special trains will instead run from these areas, according to a statement tweeted by the Indian Railways. Cyclone Vayu, which instensified into a severe cyclonic storm yesterday, is expected to hit the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around Veraval and Diu region.

Nearly three lakh people are being evacuated starting today as Cyclone Vayu is set to make landfall. They will be shifted to around 700 cyclone and relief shelters. Gujarat’s Gandhidham, Bhavnagar Para, Porbandar, Veravar and Okha will likely be the areas which will feel the most significant impact as the cyclone enters land.

The entire coastline has been on high alert since yesterday, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani told reporters. Schools and colleges along the entire coastline will remain closed till tomorrow.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed preparations being made to brace the impact of the cyclone. The Home Ministry has also sent detailed advisories to Gujarat and the Union Territory of Diu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted to say the central government was “closely monitoring the situation” and said that he was “constantly in touch with state governments” to review the situation.

“Praying for the safety and wellbeing of all those affected by Cyclone Vayu. The Government and local agencies are providing real-team information, which I urge those in affected areas to closely follow,” he said in another tweet.