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Indian Army columns continue flood relief operations in Gujarat. (Image source: News18.com)
The deep depression over Kutch and adjacent areas is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours.
Authorities in Gujarat's Kutch district have asked people living in huts and makeshift houses to take shelter in schools, temples or other buildings after the IMD said a deep depression in the region may turn into a cyclonic storm on Friday morning.
Following a warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Kutch Collector Amit Arora issued a video message asking people living in Abdasa, Mandvi and Lakhpat Talukas to Leave their huts and kutch houses and take shelter in schools or other buildings.
He also urged locals to come forward and provide shelter to these poor people till Friday night.
“The depression over Kutch and adjacent areas is likely to move westward to the northeastern Arabian Sea and intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours. It will then move over the next two weeks,” the IMD said in a statement on Thursday evening. It will move west-northwestward away from the coast of India within days. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reached the state emergency operation in Gandhinagar on Thursday evening after the IMD issued a warning, an official release said. Center and discussed the district government's preparations with Arora through video conferencing.
If the deep depression turns into a cyclone, it will be named “Asna”, a name suggested by Pakistan. It is rare for a deep low over land to transform into a cyclonic storm over sea.
The formation of cyclones in the Arabian Sea in August is also rare.
“During this period, sea conditions will be severe along and offshore the coast of Gujarat and wind speed may reach up to 75 km/h,” the IMD said.
(This report has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)
