Gujarat braces for Cyclone Vayu: Important tips to stay safe during very severe cyclonic storm

Very severe cyclonic storm Vayu is set to make landfall with wind speed 155-165 kmph on Thursday in coastal areas of Gujarat and Daman & Diu. The latest update on Cyclone Vayu says that the storm is about 280 km south of Gujarat's Veraval coast. The winds speed are likely to go up to 170 kmph.

People living in low-lying areas of these 10 districts are being shifted to safer places. Over 60 people have been evacuated from Diu and Gujarat by NDRF teams with the help of police and civil administration. Those evacuated have been shifted to shelters.

Apart from those in the direct line of impact, strong winds are likely to bring life to standstill in other parts of the state as well. It is important to observe some do's and don'ts to stay safe during and after the cyclonic storm.

#WATCH Gujarat: Strong winds and dust hit the Somnath temple in Gir Somnath district ahead of the landfall of #CycloneVayu, expected tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/CgVFYJvpeH ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2019

Here is a list of tips, issued by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), to stay safe during Cyclone Vayu:

Do's and don'ts

Before cyclone

Ignore rumours, stay calm, don't panic
Keep your mobile phones charged to ensure connectivity; use SMS
Listen to radio, watch TV, read newspapers for weather updates
Keep your documents and valuables in water-proof containers
Prepare an emergency kit with essential items for safety and survival
Secure your house; carry out repairs; don't leave sharp objects loose
Untie cattle/animals to ensure their safety

Fishermen should

Keep a radio set with extra batteries handy
Keep boats/rafts tied up in a safe place
Don't venture out in the sea

What kind of preparations you should before a #cylone makes landfall in your region? #CycloneVayu #Goa #Gujarat #Maharashtra #Lakshadweep pic.twitter.com/IFut1eYIKC NDMA India (@ndmaindia) June 12, 2019

During and after the cyclone

1) If Indoors

Switch off electrical mains, gas supply
Keep doors and windows shut
If your house is unsafe, leave early before the onset of a cyclone
Listen to radio/transistor
Drink boiled/chlorinated water
Reply only on official warnings

2) If Outdoors
Do not enter damaged buildings
Watch out for broken electric poles and wires and other sharp objects
Seek a safe shelter as soon as possible

#CycloneVayu #Goa #Gujarat #Maharashtra #Lakshadweep pic.twitter.com/n3rP6GRogx NDMA India (@ndmaindia) June 12, 2019

Disaster preparedness by government for Cyclone Vayu

Bracing for the impact of the high-speed wind, Gujarat and Diu authorities have already planned to evacuate about three lakh people from identified vulnerable areas. The evacuation will start on Wednesday morning. People will be shifted to around 700 cyclone and relief shelters.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has pre-positioned 39 NDRF teams, comprising about 45 rescuers each, in Gujarat and Diu and they are equipped with boats, tree-cutters and telecom equipment. As many as 34 teams of Army are also on standby.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed a C-17 transporter aircraft to carry out Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reviewed the preparedness in the region while his ministry has issued detailed advisories to Gujarat and Union Territory Diu, asking authorities to take all precautionary measures so as to ensure that no human life is lost, damage to vital infrastructure is minimised and there is early recovery of all essential services post-cyclone landfall.