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Informist, Thursday, Aug 29, 2024

 

--IMD: Deep depression over Gujarat coast to turn in cyclonic storm Fri

--Extremely heavy rainfall seen over Saurashtra, Kutch till Sat 

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI – The deep depression over Saurashtra and Kutch is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm on Friday, the India Meteorological Department said today. The weather bureau said the cyclonic storm is likely to continue moving south towards the northeast Arabian Sea away from the Indian coast during the subsequent two days.

 

Under the influence of the cyclonic storm, wind speeds could likely reach a top speed of 65 km per hour over districts of south Gujarat region, and Saurashtra and Kutch today and Friday, the IMD said. Moreover, strong winds with a maximum speed of 60 km per hour are likely to prevail along and off the northern Maharashtra coast till Saturday.

 

The weather agency said heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is likely over certain parts of Saurashtra and Kutch today, and similar weather conditions are expected to prevail during the next two days. Over the last one week, Gujarat has received heavy rainfall, which has affected kharif crops in the region, traders said.

 

"Heavy rainfall is affecting the crops badly, especially groundnut and cotton," Ashok Virvani, a Gujarat-based trader said. The trader said mandis and schools are closed, and waterlogged roads have prevented them from going to the market for the past four days.

 

Since Jun 1, the whole of Gujarat has received 40?ove normal rainfall at 797.3 mm, according to IMD's data. The data also shows rainfall over Gujarat's Saurashtra and Kutch regions has been 67% higher than normal since the monsoon season began on Jun 1. On Wednesday, the two regions had received a whopping 1891?ove normal rainfall, according to the data.

 

"It's too early to say anything, (but) groundnut sowing is affected in a serious way," said Neharu Kher, managing director of Across Overseas Pvt Ltd, an agency specialising in the global trade of agricultural products. He said the most affected areas in Gujarat are Porbandar and Jamnagar. "So far, around 1.9 mln ha of sowing has been done for groundnut, but it depends on rainfall whether the crop will be damaged or healthy."

 

The weather bureau has asked farmers to drain excess water from pigeon pea, soybean, cotton and sesame crop fields in Saurashtra and Kutch, and from rice, castor, cotton, pearl millet, groundnut, sesame and maize fields in Gujarat.

 

The IMD also expects rough sea conditions along and off the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts till Saturday. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into northeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea till Saturday. Small ships, offshore and onshore exploration and production of oil, along with port authorities off the coast of Gujarat and northern Maharashtra have been advised to keep a watch on developing weather conditions and take necessary actions till Friday.  End

 

Reported by Sayantan Sarkar and Anjali Lavania

Edited by Ashish Shirke

 

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