Cyclone Nisarga made landfall south of the beach town of Alibag on Wednesday afternoon. (Express Photo: Narendra Vaskar)
Cyclone Nisarga, which weakened into a low pressure area, is likely to enter Madhya Pradesh by Thursday evening from the southern parts of the state, instead of the western parts as predicted earlier, an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. IMD officials said that the cyclone has weakened into a cyclonic storm before entering Madhya Pradesh from neighbouring Maharashtra, and is likely to lose its intensity further.
Meanwhile, IMD also reported that a low-pressure area is likely to develop over eastern parts of west-central Bay of Bengal around June 8. Due to this low-pressure area, Odisha is likely to witness heavy rainfall from June 10.
Due to strong winds along the west coast, Mumbai has received 50 mm of rainfall at Colaba and 25 mm at Santacruz in the 24 hours ending 8.30 am. Moderate spells of rain are likely to continue for next few hours. Cyclone Nisarga, which made landfall near Raigad district on Wednesday afternoon, claimed the lives of four people in separate incidents.
Fishermen tow their boats in Mumbai on Tuesday, following the red alert issued by the IMD for extremely heavy rainfall. (Express Photo: Ganesh Shirsekar)
Rescue personnel relocate their jetski as part of precautions against cyclone on the Arabian Sea coast in Mumbai, India, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. (AP Photo: Rajanish Kakade)
At 17, Mumbai recorded its best Air Quality Index (AQI) for this year on Thursday afternoon. It rose to 19 by evening. The lowest AQI for the year was recorded a day after the severe cyclonic storm Nisarga hit Maharashtra coast, bringing high-speed winds and washed away particulate matter (PM). Read more here
Thousands of quintals of wheat procured by the Madhya Pradesh government and waiting to be transported to warehouses were damaged in rains that battered several parts of the state on Thursday.
Madhya Pradesh has purchased 125.60 lakh MT of wheat from farmers—the highest ever in the state—since the procurement drive began. Currently, only Punjab has procured more. While the government claimed nearly 90 per cent of the wheat had been safely moved away, it admitted that the rains, triggered by Cyclone Nisarga, damaged the stock lying in the open.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said it was a challenge to safely store wheat in the open, but said farmers will not bear the brunt as they would get full payment for the commodity they sold to the government. Read more here
The island city and suburban areas of Mumbai received nearly 50-mm of rain in eight hours on Thursday, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) release said. The rain followed Cyclone Nisarga which made landfall in neighbouring Raigad district on Wednesday. Colaba weather station recorded 49.6 mm rain while Santacruz station recorded 47 mm rain between 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. Due to heavy rain between 9 to 11 am that coincided with high tide, some low-lying areas like Kings Circle, Hindmata, Wadala BPT Colony, Mankhurd Railway station witnessed water logging. BEST spokesperson said that it diverted the special buses on several routes due to water-logging on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road at Kings Circle. PTI
THE DEATH toll in Pune district due to Cyclone Nisarga rose to three as another person, who was left injured in a cyclone-related accident at Vahagav village in Khed tehsil on Wednesday, succumbed to injuries on Thursday morning.
Narayan Navale (38), who was treated at Unicare Hospital in Chakan and then moved to Pune, was among five persons injured as a wall and a portion of the roof of their house caved in, owing to heavy rainfall and strong winds. Narayan’s mother Manjabai Navale (65) died last night after the incident.
Another man, Prakash Mokar (52), died in Mokarwadi village in Haveli tehsil on Wednesday as he was trying to hold on to a tin roof, which was being blown away, and received injuries that proved to be fatal.
According to Pune District Collector Naval Kishore Ram, 1,350 kaccha houses and 114 pucca houses were partially damaged in the district, while four kaccha houses and 89 huts were completely damaged. Standing crops on 402 hectares were damaged.
“The government will provide appropriate compensation to all who have suffered damages. The family members of those who died will receive Rs 4 lakh each from the State Disaster Relief fund,” Ram said.
Light rains lashed the national capital on Thursday, bringing the maximum temperature down by a few notches. A fresh western disturbance and southwesterly winds led to rains in the city and neighbouring areas, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The Safdarjung Observatory, which provides representative figures for the city, recorded a maximum of 36.1 degrees Celsius, four notches below normal.
The Palam Observatory recorded a high of 37.4 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels oscillated between 50 and 90 per cent. The Met department has predicted more rains or thundershower, with winds gusting up to 50 kilometres per hour in the city on Friday. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle around 34 and 24 degrees Celsius respectively.
A heatwave is not expected to return to Delhi-NCR before June 8, the weather department said. Kuldeep Srivastava, head of the IMD's regional forecasting centre, said the effect of the current western disturbance will continue till June 8, restricting the mercury below the 40 degrees Celsius-mark. (PTI)
Two people died due to to rain-related incidents in Maharashtra due to Cyclone Nisagra that weakened to a cyclonic storm on Thursday, while some areas in northern states of the country witnessed rainfall. The cyclone, which weakened into a low pressure area, is likely to enter Madhya Pradesh by Thursday evening from the southern parts of the state, instead of the western parts as predicted earlier, an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. IMD officials said that the cyclone has weakened into a cyclonic storm before entering Madhya Pradesh, and is likely to lose its intensity further.
As parts of Nashik received heavy rainfall, a 45-year-old woman died of electrocution in a rain-related incident when she entered an inundated poultry farm. A 35-year-old man, who was severely injured in an incident of wall collapse in Pune, died at a hospital. Nisarga and its accompanying rains seem to have had a positive impact on Mumbai's overall air quality index, which improved to 17, the best reading for this year as of now.
Authorities started restoration work in Raigad district that borne the brunt of cyclonic storm. Several kutcha houses, temporary shades were destroyed, while hundreds of trees and many electrical poles were uprooted and roofs of some structures were blown away by the storm, an official said. In New Delhi, the maximum temperature was 36.1 degrees Celsius, four notches below normal, and the minimum was 24.9 degrees, three notches below average. The city also recorded light rainfall which brought down temperatures further.
In Rajasthan, Barmer was recorded as the hottest place, recording a maximum of 40.4 degrees Celsius followed by Jaisalmer and Bikaner at 39.7 degrees each. Churu, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Jaipur, Kota and Dabok (Udaipur) also recorded a maximum of 39.3, 38.8, 35.4, 35, 33.9 and 32 degrees Celsius on Thursday, according to MeT Department. Meanwhile, Ajmer and Dabok recorded 6.8 and 0.5 mm rains till evening since morning. (PTI)
Light rainfall occurred in some parts of Rajasthan on Thursday, and the MeT department has predicted more showers over the next four days. From morning till evening, Ajmer and Dabok recorded 6.8 and 0.5 mm rainfall respectively, the MeT department said. Meanwhile, Barmer was the hottest location in the state at 40.4 degrees Celsius, the Meteorological department said.
It said Jaisalmer and Bikaner, each recorded a maximum temperature of 39.7 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature in Churu and Jodhpur was 39.3 and 38.8 degrees Celsius respectively, while Ajmer and Jaipur recorded their respective highs at 35.4 and 35 degrees Celsius, the MeT department said. The day temperature in Kota and Dabok (Udaipur) was 33.9 and 32 degrees Celsius respectively, it said. (PTI)
Town planning authority MMRDA on Thursday said the temporary COVID-19 hospital at BKC was not built keeping in mind natural calamities like thunderstorm or cyclone but yet it weathered the cyclone Nisarga and can also pull through the monsoon. The clarification from the authority comes at a time when senior BJP leaders have claimed that the makeshift COVID-19 hospital set up at MMRDA grounds has been severely damaged and is unsafe for patients.
Cyclone Nisarga, which made landfall in Alibaug on Maharashtra's coast on June 3 passed through districts like Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Pune, causing considerable damage to the power supply network, roads, houses and trees in these regions. "The temporary COVID-19 hospital is designed considering the weather conditions of Mumbai and not keeping in mind natural calamities like thunderstorms or cyclones. And therefore, even we were sceptical about the sturdiness of the structure when we came to know about the cyclone. However, we immediately took necessary steps to further strengthen its base and there has been no damage to the hospital at all," MMRDA commissioner RA Rajeev told reporters here.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, in a letter to state chief secretary Ajoy Mehta, has sought a detailed inquiry into the construction of this project and demanded action on contractors, while claiming that there were leakages in the structure which posed safety threats to the patients and the medical staff deployed at the facility. On June 3, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane had also tweeted videos allegedly showing damage caused to the makeshift hospital and had demanded a probe. According to the MMRDA, on June 2, as a precautionary measure, civic local body BMC had shifted more than 150 patients, who were taking treatment at the facility, to another location.
"Moving patients was only a precautionary measure. The structure is strong enough to bear wind speed of up to 80 km per hour. Since the speed was estimated higher than that, the decision was taken by the Corporation. Now that it has withstood the cyclone, the facility shall certainly pull through the monsoon season. The patients will start returning soon," he added. Rajeev further said that the work on the second phase of the hospital housing 1,000 beds is already under construction and will be completed soon. (PTI)
he maximum temperature at most places in Haryana and Punjab remained below the normal limits on Thursday, the Meteorological department said. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, received 12.2 mm rainfall in the evening and recorded a high of 36.4 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal, the MeT department said. In Haryana, Ambala recorded the day temperature at 37 degrees Celsius, which was two degrees below normal, it said.
The maximum temperature in Karnal was 35.8 degrees Celsius, four notches below normal, the MeT department said. The mercury settled at 37.5 degrees Celsius in Hisar, five notches below normal, while the day temperature in Narnaul went down seven notches below normal limits to 34.5 degrees Celsius, it said.
In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a high of 36.8 degrees Celsius, down three notches against the normal limits, the MeT department said. The maximum temperature in Ludhiana was 37 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal, while Patiala's day temperature settled three notches below normal limits at 36.8 degrees Celsius, the MeT department said.
According to the MeT Department's forecast for Haryana and Punjab, thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty winds, with speeds between 30-40 kmph, are likely at isolated places on Friday and Saturday. (PTI)
Three people were killed while one person was critically injured due to lightning triggered by thunderstorm in West Bengal's Malda district, said the district police on Thursday.
As parts of Nashik received heavy rainfall due to cyclone Nisarga, a 45-year-old woman died of electrocution in a rain-related incident in the district, officials said on Thursday. The cyclone, which made landfall near Alibaug in Raigad district of Maharashtra on Wednesday afternoon, spared Mumbai and headed towards Vidarbha region on Thursday. It has now turned into a depression. According to the district authorities, a woman identified as, Yashoda Pawar (45), died of electrocution when she had gone to a poultry farm in Rahuri village in the district on Wednesday. As the water accumulated in the premises had electric current, she died as soon as she entered the water.
The weather conditions created by the cyclone triggered intense spells of rains in Nashik district on Wednesday. Several areas had started getting showers from Tuesday night, the weather department officials said. The district received 144.2 mm rainfall in the 24 hours that ended at 8.30 am on Thursday, they said.
The heavy spells of rain disrupted normal life. At many places in Nashik city trees were uprooted due to the strong winds. It also led to power outages in several areas on Wednesday. In some localities, the power supply could be restored only on Thursday morning, they said. Apart from Nashik city, several other tehsils in the district like Dindori, Ojhar, Manmad, Niphad, Satana, Trimbakeshwar, Chandwad, Malegaon, Peth, Yeola, Kalwan were lashed by heavy rains. (PTI)
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force and local authorities on Thursday started restoration work in Maharashtra's Raigad district that has borne the brunt of cyclonic storm 'Nisarga'. The cyclone made landfall near Shrivardhan in the district on Wednesday afternoon and lashed the coastal areas of Alibaug, Revdanda, Revas, Murud, Mhasala and Roha with strong winds and heavy rains.
Several kutcha houses, temporary shades were destroyed, while hundreds of trees and many electrical poles were uprooted and roofs of some structures were blown away by the storm, an official said. Earth movers, cutters and JCBs were used to clear fallen trees at Harihareshwar, Shirivardhan and Dive Agar among other affected areas, he said.
Teams from the NDRF, SDRF, police and district administration were working relentlessly to clear the damages, he added. NDRF teams helped people repair their homes in Alibaug, Revdanda and other tehsils, which were severely hit, the official said. Among 20 teams of NDRF deployed in state, seven were already stationed in Raigad district to tackle emergencies and more personnel reached the district on Thursday morning, the official added. (PTI)
People and vehicles waded through knee-deep water in South Mumbai as rains lashed the city on Thursday. Here are some glimpses
(Express Photos by Ganesh Shirsekhar)
The depression, a remnant of the severe cyclonic storm Nisarga, lay centred over south Madhya Pradesh and adjoining Vidarbha about 140 km north-northeast of Akola (Maharashtra) and 160 km south-southeast of Bhopal (MP), the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its latest update on Thursday. It is very likely to move northeastwards and weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area by today evening.
Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places are likely over east MP and Chhattisgarh. Vidarbha and west MP are also expected to receive light to moderate rainfall and heavy falls at isolated places.
Delhiites will get respite from heat wave conditions till June 10 owing to southwesterly winds bringing moisture to Delhi-NCR, the MeT department officials said on Wednesday. According to Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the India Meteorological Department's regional forecasting centre here, a fresh western disturbance has started affecting northwest India from June 3.
The south westerly winds (through Rajasthan), in association with cyclone, have brought moisture to Delhi NCR and north west India from Wednesday. "The combined effect big of southwesterly winds and western disturbance will lead to thunderstorm with light to moderate rain accompanied with squally winds (50-60 kmph) over Delhi NCR and North west India starting from today till June 5 with peak activity on June 4," he said.
Heat wave conditions will not be there over Northwest India till June 10, he added. Meanwhile, the maximum temperature in the national capital remained below the 40 degrees Celsius mark, the MeT department said. The maximum temperature was recorded at 36.4 degrees Celsius, four notches below the season's average, while the minimum temperature settled at 24.9 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal, it said. Humidity hovered between 83 per cent and 35 per cent. (PTI)
A low-pressure area is likely to develop over eastern parts of west-central Bay of Bengal around June 8. Due to the low-pressure area, Odisha is likely to witness heavy rainfall from June 10: India Meteorological Department
Cyclone Nisarga and its accompanying rains seem to have had a positive impact on Mumbais overall air quality index, which improved to 17 on Thursday, the best reading for this year as of now, an official said. Mumbai continued to receive rainfall on Thursday, a day after the cyclone made landfall near Alibaug in neighbouring Raigad district.
The current air quality of Mumbai recorded at noon falls in the good category, that poses little or no health risk, according to the official website of the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).
The concentration of PM 2.5, tiny particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter which can enter deep into the lungs and even the bloodstream, was recorded at 15 (good). "This is the best record of the year till now. It is due to the combination of high-speed winds and accompanying rains that the air quality index (AQI) has improved," SAFAR director Dr Gufran Beig said. Read more
Cyclone Nisarga, which weakened into a low pressure area, is likely to enter Madhya Pradesh by Thursday evening from the southern parts of the state, instead of the western parts as predicted earlier, an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The severe cyclonic storm had hit the Maharashtra coast near Alibaug in Raigad district on Wednesday afternoon.
IMD officials said that the cyclone has weakened into a cyclonic storm before entering Madhya Pradesh from neighbouring Maharashtra, and is likely to lose its intensity further. As a result of the cyclone, parts of Madhya Pradesh received rainfall from Wednesday and the showers are likely to continue on Thursday as well, they said.
Talking to PTI, IMD's senior scientist Vedprakash Singh Chandel said, "Our earlier forecast was that Nisarga could enter Madhya Pradesh from Maharashtra between 7 am and 11 am on Thursday from Khandwa, Khargone and Burhanpur. But now this cyclone has lost its intensity and weakened into a low pressure area." "In the changing weather conditions, there is a possibility that Nisarga may enter Madhya Pradesh from its southern parts like Betul, Chhindwara and Seoni around 7 pm on Thursday," he said. (PTI)
Mumbai's Sion area reported extreme water-logging due to heavy rains lashing the city. Watch here:
The Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into some parts of the central Arabian Sea, entire Kerala & Mahe, some parts of Karnataka, some more parts of Comorin Area and Southwest Bay of Bengal, most parts of Southeast Bay of Bengal and some parts of East-central Bay of Bengal.
While the impact of Cyclone Nisarga was lesser than anticipated, with Pune city and rural areas experiencing moderate rainfall and strong winds, two deaths, several injuries and partial damage to nearly 140 households across Pune district were reported on Wednesday. Three cattle deaths were also reported in rural areas. Gusty winds, which were not as devastatingly strong as anticipated, led to uprooting of many trees in rural areas. As many as 105 houses and 36 shanties in various parts of the district, mainly Maval and Mulshi, were damaged partially.
Conditions are likely to become favourable for further advancement of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of Central Arabian Sea and entire Southeast Bay of Bengal and some parts of Westcentral Bay of Bengal, Southwest and East-central Bay of Bengal during next 2-3 days. Rains are likely in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal
Rainfall recorded in the last three hours (upto 11.30 am)
Mumbai
Santacruz - 32.2mm
Colaba - 45.4mm
Bandra - 30.9mm
Andheri - 21.0 mm
Worli - 46.0 mm
Dadar - 42.0 mm
Wadala - 59.0 mm
Rawali - 48.0 mm
Daravi - 40.0 mm
Rainfall at other areas:
Palghar
Dahanu - 0.1mm
Goa
Panaji - 0.2 mm
Raigad
Dilwale - 40.4 mm
Washi - 41.0 mm
Khairna - 57.4 mm
Airoli - 60.8 mm
Ghansoli - 70.4 mm
Here are some pictures of water-logging in Mumbai. These were taken by Congress corporator Ravi Raja at 10.45 am at Kings Circle, Matunga.
The 11.30 am bulletin by the IMD states that the depression over the western parts of Vidarbha is moving north-eastwards at a speed of 27 kmph and lies about 60 km northwest of Akola (Maharashtra), 220 km west-northwest of Nagpur (Maharashtra) and 230 km south-southeast of Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh). It is expected to continue moving east-northeastwards and weaken into a well marked low pressure area by this evening.
In other weather related news, the IMD has said Delhi will get respite from the heat till June 10 owing to south-westerly winds bringing moisture to the capital. "The combined effect big of southwesterly winds and western disturbance will lead to thunderstorm with light to moderate rain accompanied with squally winds (50-60 kmph) over Delhi NCR and North west India starting from today till June 5 with peak activity on June 4," Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the India Meteorological Department's regional forecasting centre, told PTI.
Parts of Mumbai receive rains on Thursday morning. Here are some visuals from Kandivali:
The Government of Maharashtra and the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai need to proactively design urban infrastructures and public space so that Mumbai can better accommodate and withstand major cyclone and extreme weather events much before the next cyclone comes. And it may not miss Mumbai, writes Nikhil Anand in this opinion column
The IMD in Mumbai has issued a warning for intense spells of rainfall at isolated places in Palghar, Thane, Mumbai and Raigad districts during the next three hours.
The deep depression over interior Maharashtra has weakened into a depression, the IMD said. It lies over west Vidarbha and is moving east-northeastwards. It is likely to further weaken into a Well Marked Low Pressure Area (WML) by this evening, the weather department said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted light to moderated rainfall at most places, and heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places over north Madhya Maharashtra, Marathawada, Vidarbha and south Madhya Pradesh today. Places over south Konkan and Goa, and south Gujarat, could also witness rainfall.
Mumbai is likely to witness rains or thundershowers towards the evening or night, the IMD said. The minimum temperature is likely to be 25 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature could touch 31 degrees Celsius.
The deep depression, the remnant of Cyclone Nisarga, will further weaken into a depression this morning. It is currently over Madhya Maharashtra, and moving north-eastwards at a speed of 27 kmph. It lies 70 km east of Nashik, 90 km north-northeast of Aurangabad and 180 km northeast of Pune.
Severe cyclonic storm Nisarga spared the country’s financial capital Mumbai, already grappling with the coronavirus crisis, as it skirted further northeast of Alibag after the landfall on Wednesday afternoon.
While there were no major loss to life and property, strong and gusty winds uprooted several trees across the city, mostly in D N Road Fort, Colaba, King Circle, and Mulund, civic officials said. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) received 39 tree-fall complaints from the city, 40 from its eastern suburbs, and 38 from the western. At least nine complaints of wall collapse and 20 short-circuit incidents were also reported. Read more here
The beachtown was prepared for the worst on Wednesday morning – doors were shut, windows bolted, shops shuttered, roads empty and vehicles parked safely.
As cyclone Nisarga, categorised as a severe cyclonic storm, made landfall just south of Alibag in Raigad at 12.30 pm, the winds in excess of 100 kmph uprooted trees, bent power lines, rattled roofs, sent debris flying and showered the streets with coconuts and mangoes. Read more here
Cyclonic conditions on Wednesday prevented several people, even suspected coronavirus patients, to delay hospital visits. Already down on its knees from the raging Covid-19 pandemic — Mumbai on Wednesday reported 1276 new cases taking its total count to 43,492 — the city was witnessed heavy rainfall and gusty winds as Cyclone Nisarga made landfall at Alibag in Raigad district.
Khalid Ansari, a social worker at Nagpada, said several people, even those ill, avoided venturing out to see a doctor due to the rain. “Those who could wait for a day before seeking medical help decided to stay at home,” he said. Read more here
Authorities in Indore and Ujjain divisions in the western part of Madhya Pradesh have been asked to be prepared to deal with the impact of Cyclone 'Nisarga', which is likely to hit the state on Thursday, an IMD official said. The cyclonic storm is likely to enter Khandwa, Khargone and Burhanpur districts in the state between 7 am and 11 am on Thursday, the official said. Rains have already been reported from some places of the state due to the impact of the cyclonic storm, he said. The weather condition is likely to affect Indore and Ujjain divisions for the next two to three days, he said, adding that some places may witness thunderstorms with heavy rains and lightning during this period. Strong winds ranging from 50 to 60 kmph are expected in some areas in the western part of the state, the official said. PTI
Advancing in haste, Cyclone Nisarga intensified swiftly along coastal areas in Maharashtra but also weakened quickly as the day progressed.
On Wednesday morning, when it was still in sea -- about 150 km away from Alibag, its site of landfall -- Nisarga intensified into a Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS). Soon, its landward advancement picked pace, with winds strengthening and raging anywhere between 110 and 120 km/hour recorded at the time of landfall. Read more here
Incessant rain with intermittent heavy spells, accompanied by strong winds, lashed Pune and surrounding areas on Wednesday, resulting in power outages due to damage to 540 feeder lines across the district, and several instances of tree collapse and waterlogging.
Pune city and surrounding areas started receiving rain from Tuesday evening, with some intermittent spells of heavy showers and strong wind on Wednesday afternoon, as a result of cyclonic activity in the coastal area. Read more here
As severe cyclonic storm Nisarga over east-central Arabian Sea moved north-eastwards, it crossed Maharashtra coast, close to south of Alibaug, and hardly any impact was witnessed in Gujarat on Wednesday.
Apart from light rainfall for about three days, Gujarat is unlikely to see any further activity resulting from the cyclone.
“There will be no impact of Cyclone Nisarga on Gujarat, not even high velocity winds. Only light rainfall is expected in a few districts of South Gujarat and Saurashtra for the coming two-three days,” said Manorama Mohanty, Regional Additional Director of India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) in Ahmedabad.
“The Severe Cyclonic Storm 'Nisarga' over east central Arabian Sea moved north-eastwards with a speed of about 23 kmph, crossed Maharashtra coast close to south of Alibaug with a maximum sustained wind speed of 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph between 12:30 and 14:30 hours... 75 km southeast of Mumbai (Maharashtra) and 65 km west of Pune (Maharashtra). It is very likely to move north-eastwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm during next 06 hours,” the IMD bulletin stated.
The state government had already evacuated nearly 67,000 persons from south Gujarat and Saurashtra districts. It had also stationed 13 teams of the National Disaster Response Force and six teams of the State Disaster Response Force in South Gujarat on June 2, as a precautionary measure.
Advancing in haste, Cyclone Nisarga intensified swiftly along coastal areas in Maharashtra but also weakened quickly as the day progressed.
On Wednesday morning, when it was still in sea -- about 150 km away from Alibag, its site of landfall -- Nisarga intensified into a Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS). Soon, its landward advancement picked pace, with winds strengthening and raging anywhere between 110 and 120 km/hour recorded at the time of landfall.
The process of landfall, which commenced a little after 12.30 pm, was completed within three hours. The 60-odd km centre of cyclone still had considerable wind speed.
But, after the entire system moved into land from Raigad coast, it began showing signs of weakening and swerved from its originally-designated path. As a result, it gave Thane, Mumbai, Palghar in Maharashtra, Daman, and Valsad and neighbouring districts of South Gujarat a miss.
IMD's cyclone updates, by 4 pm, indicated that the cyclone was headed towards Pune district. Ahmednagar and Nashik were also on alert as the storm was predicted to head towards north Madhya Maharashtra.
In a first, Pune district experienced a cyclone up close on Wednesday, as Cyclone Nisarga reached up to 45 km north-northwest of the district. This happened despite Pune district not even being along the projected path of the cyclone, as forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Nonetheless, Pune was placed under yellow alert as heavy rain and squally winds were forecast.
As the cyclone has advanced beyond Raigad district, the energy department has started restoration of power supply in Ratnagiri, Shrivardhan.
"At present , the power supply in Palghar, Vasai , Mumbai, Navi Mumbai except Uran, where supply has been switched off for safety due to heavy winds, Kalyan, except some parts of Kalyan rural where again supply has been switched off for safety, is normal," the statment said.
The power supply in Murud, Mandgaon, Goregaon, Alibag, Mhasala, Guhagar, Dapoli taluquas it was switched off from EHV stations will be restored as soon as the speed of wind and rains slow down. Power supply in rest of Maharashtra , except few minor local breakdowns, is normal. However, the demand of MSEDCL has dropped considerably from 18000- 19000MW to less than 10000 MW due to closure of industries.
A 17-year-old boy dies in wall-collapse. Amar Jawlekar, a Class X student, was leaving the house with his mother when a wall collapsed. Mother survived but he succumbed to injuries.
Two people died and three others were injured in two cyclone-related incidents in Pune district on Wednesday, said officials.
Cyclone Nisarga is currently centered over Pune after making landfall in coastal Raigad district of Maharashtra around 1 pm.
Manjabai Anant Navale (65), resident of Vahagaon village in Khed tehsil, died as a wall of her house collapsed and tin sheets on the roof were blown away in the wind. "Three other members of Navale family also sustained injuries. They have been shifted to a hospital in Chakan," said a senior district official.
Prakash Mokar (52), a resident of Mokarwadi in Haveli tehsil, also died after the roof of his house was blown away and he was injured while trying to catch the tin sheets, said an officer from the District Disaster Management Cell. (PTI)
Cyclone Nisarga made landfall near Mumbai on Wednesday but appeared to have maintained 'social distancing" from the city reeling under the COVID-19 pandemic, as it uprooted trees in nearby Raigad and Palghar districts.
The cyclonic storm 'Nisarga' over interior Maharashtra moved northeastwards with a speed of 22 kmph during past six hours, weakened into a deep depression and lay centered about 120 km northeast of Alibag, 100 km east of Mumbai and 85 km north of Pune at 7:30 pm.
A 58-year-old man died after an electric pole fell on him in Alibag area of Raigad, Maharashtra, Raigad collector Nidhi Choudhary confirms. The incident took place in Umate village, Alibag taluka.
A cargo aircraft belonging to FedEx overshot the main runway of the Mumbai airport on its arrival from Bengaluru, Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) said in a statement.
The aircraft was towed away from the runway and there has been no disruption in flight operations, it said.
Further, MIAL said that the flight operations at the airport have been suspended between 2.30 pm and 7 pm due to adverse weather. The services have now resumed.
MMRDA response after videos of water logging at a Covid healthcare center at Bandra Kurla Complex surfaced on social media: "After #CycloneNisarg, work restarts for second Covid facility at BKC. Nothing happened to Covid hospital 1 and 2 during Cyclone though as a matter of abundant precaution, patients were shifted.
"We stood the test of Nature. Scenes from the COVID19 Hospital at BKC. We would like to thank @CMOMaharashtra , Shri @OfficeofUT , our Chairman Shri @mieknathshinde ji Min UDD and @AUThackeray for having the faith while entrusting us with such an important project."
Cyclone Nisarga swerved its path soon after crossing Alibag post landfall this afternoon. This change is its path saved Mumbai and south Gujarat from facing the cyclone's fury. As per earlier forecasts of India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai, Valsad, Daman fell in-line of the cyclone path.
As per the latest cyclone update, the weakened storm lay 50km north-northwest over Pune district and is headed to Ahmednagar and Nashik towards north Madhya Maharashtra districts in the coming three hours. Wind speeds between 550 - 60 km / hr gusting ti 70 km / hr is forecast over these two districts during the upcoming three hours.
However, it is set to weaken into a deep depression during the next six hours.
Since Wednesday morning, rainfall recorded in Pune city is 20.2mm whereas heavy spells were reported in Mahabaleshwar - 84mm, Satara - 51mm, Mumbai (Colaba) - 47mm, Ratnagiri - 38mm till 5.30pm on Wednesday.
(input from Anjali Marar)
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Cyclones may leave the affected areas and water bodies contaminated, apart from blowing in debris. This, in turn, could increase the risk of illnesses.
With cyclones, people could potentially be exposed to water-borne diseases like typhoid fever or cholera and vector-borne diseases (those caused by pathogens and parasites) such as malaria and dengue, says World Health Organisation (WHO). They say, “human exposure to disease vectors can be increased due to changes in the physical environment.”
In the wake of Cyclone Nisarga, it is important to not just take precautions before and during the cyclone, but also after it ends, to ensure you do not fall sick. Here are some tips how to stay safe and healthy after a cyclone.
A makeshift Covid-19 healthcare centre built by MMRDA in Bandra Kurla Complex inundated due to heavy rains on Wednesday.
The flight operations at the Mumbai airport, which were earlier suspended till 7 pm, resumed from 6 pm, an airport spokesperson said on Wednesday.
MIAL, the private airport operator, had earlier announced that all operations at the CSMIA will remain suspended between 2.30 pm and 7 pm as a precautionary measure in view of the cyclone Nisarga.
"The landing and take-off is permitted at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will be permitted from 6 pm," the spokesperson said in the statement. (PTI)
IMD Update: The severe cyclonic storm 'Nisarga' over coastal Maharashtra moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 24 kmph during past six hours and weakened into a cyclonic storm. It lay centered at 4:30 pm about 70 km east-northeast of Alibag and 80 km east-southeast of Mumbai (Colaba) and 45 km northwest of Pune.
Several low-lying areas in Maharashtra's Pune remained inundated due to rains brought in by cyclone 'Nisarga' since Tuesday night, officials said on Wednesday. Incidents of trees falling due to gusty winds have also been reported at some places in the city. Parts of Maval and Mulshi tehsils are likely to be affected due to the cyclonic condition, it said.
A senior official from district disaster management cell said that sporadic incidents like trees felling and damage to houses and power disruptions were reported from some places.
"Teams of district disaster management cell, revenue, police have been stationed in the areas where the effect of cyclone is likely to be expected in these tehsils," he said. (PTI)
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the severe cyclonic storm Nisarga will weaken into a cyclonic storm by late evening today and will move northeastwards. It is currently travelling with wind speeds ranging between 85-95 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.
Landfall is when the centre of the storm crosses the coast and progresses further into land. The maximum damage of a cyclone occurs when the 'eye' of the storm touches land. Lanfall does not literally mean a 'direct hit' of the storm to any location on the coast. The direct hit is reported where the eye of the storm, that is, the centre of the storm comes onto the shore. During the landfall period, that can take two to three hours to complete, storm surge are commonly experienced. It leads to inundation of low lying areas and trigger flood-like situation. Storm surge can range from 0.5 metres to 2 metres in case of a cyclone or a severe cyclone. It can go upto 5 metres in case of a Super Cyclone. The eye of the Cyclone Nisarga is about to touch south of Alibag, after the landfall commenced.
No untoward incident has been reported in southern coast of Gujarat so far on Wednesday due to the severe cyclonic storm 'Nisarga', which has made landfall in neighbouring Maharashtra, a senior official said.
Authorities have so far shifted more than 63,700 people living close to the coast in eight districts to safer places as a precautionary measure, he said.
"Wind speed remained normal in Valsad and Navsari districts, located close to the Arabian Sea. However, the wind speed may increase up to 60 to 70 kmph in the next three hours as the cyclone is moving towards north-east Maharashtra," state Relief Commissioner Harshad Patel told reporters.
He said no untoward incident or human injury has been reported so far.
"Valsad and Navsari received rainfall of 2 mm and 7 mm, respectively, since this morning. The situation is under control," Patel said. (PTI)
BMC staff providing water and food to citizens evacuated to temporary safety shelters. Over 40,000 people living near the sea coast in Mumbai were shifted to safer places in view of the cyclone 'Nisarga'.
"The BMC shifted 10,840 people from areas near the sea coast and landslide prone locations to 35 municipal schools where temporary accommodation facilities have been set up. They were provided food and water," the civic body said in a release.
Besides, following an appeal by the BMC, nearly 30,000 people on their own moved to these temporary accommodations, it said.