Kutch, June 16: The severe cyclonic storm Vayu is currently moving away from the Gujarat coast, the latest bulletin of the India Meteorological Department stated on Sunday. The storm was about 355 km west-southwest of Porbandar, Gujarat, and is currently moving away from the coast. "The severe cyclonic storm ‘Vayu’ lay centered at 08:30 hrs IST of 16th June, 2019 over northeast & adjoining east-central Arabian sea, about 470 km west-southwest of Porbandar (Gujarat), 440 km southwest of Dwarka (Gujarat) and 545 km southwest of Bhuj (Gujarat)", IMD said in its release. Power Generation Affected in Gujarat Due to Cyclone Vayu.

Vayu, which was to make a landfall in Gujarat this week on June 13, had changed its trajectory on the intervening night of June 12 and June 13. Vayu just skirted the Gujarat coast, affecting Gir, Somnath, Diu, Junagarh and Porbandar. On Saturday, the IMD had said that the storm could change direction again and move towards the state again in the next 48 hours and would 'likely hit Kutch as a deep depression.

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On Saturday, the IMD said a gradually weakened cyclone Vayu is likely to reach coastal Saurashtra and Kutch in Gujarat as a depression by Monday evening. In its bulletin, the IMD informed that the cyclone moved westwards with a speed of about 6 km per hour and the system is very likely to move westwards during next 24 to 36 hours with gradual weakening and recurve northeastwards. Thereafter, it would reach coastal Saurashtra and Kutch as a depression by the evening of 17th June, 2019. Cyclone Vayu Delays Monsoon in Mumbai by 7 Days, Says IMD.

The Indian Coast Guard, the Navy, the National Disaster Response Force and the state authorities are on high alert. Army teams have been kept on stand-by.  Though Vayu didn't make a landfall on the Gujarat coast, the impact of Vayu had led to heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated places in Saurashtra, while the entire state received scattered rainfall on Friday and Saturday.

The IMD also assured that the cyclone will not cause any substantial damage in the areas where it will come. Light to moderate rains will continue in the areas such as Junagadh and Porbandar. In its bulletin, the IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea for the next few days.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 16, 2019 10:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).