Ferry services suspended in Mumbai due to Cyclone Vayu

NAVI MUMBAI: Maharashtra maritime board (MMB), an apex body for issuing permission to passenger boat operators and sailing, has suspended ferry services from early hours on Wednesday in view of signal 3 cautionary advisory by IMD due to cyclone Vayu and rough sea condition.
Around 40,000 passengers were hit, majorly 30,000 in and around Mumbai, majorly on the west coast where locals take the boat service at Versova, Manori, Gorai.
JNPT had suspended passenger boat services of Ferry Wharf from Tuesday evening. Ferry wharf (Bhauccha Dhakka) goes to Uran, Mora and Alibag, which is also a popular route on the east side of the creek.
Konkan coast on south-west also has daily boat operations in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts.
Fishing boats were told not to venture out on Monday for next five days.
The container cargo port also stopped barges, which assist in dredging operations, from Tuesday.
Wind speed was around 40 knots in morning hours ie around 70 kmph hours around 11:30 am to 12.00 pm , following which MbPT (Bombay port trust) stopped operations of bigger vessels.
The eye of the cyclone was passing parallel to Mumbai with the tail crossing in the evening likely to bring rain, a senior port officer of MbPT ( Bombay port trust) said. The influence area was likely to move away further north and west in the evening, JNPT said.
Shipping did not take a hit at JNPT and Mumbai port, but there's a caution for Thursday with wind speed at 110-120 kmph near Diu, MbPT ( Mumbai port trust / Bombay port) said. " We will be watchful about tomorrow's shipping operations, a senior port officer said.