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Wed, 03 June 2020
Medium intensity earthquake hits Noida
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23:58 Medium intensity earthquake hits Noida
A medium intensity earthquake of magnitude 3.0 occurred near Noida in the national capital region (NCR) on Wednesday night, a central government agency said.
The epicentre of the quake was 19 km southeast of Noida in Gautam Buddh Nagar district of western Uttar Pradesh adjoining Delhi, the National Center for Seismology said.
The earthquake occurred at 10.42 pm at a depth of 4 km, it added.
Earlier, two earthquakes of magnitude 4.6 and 2.9 had occurred in Rohtak in Haryana on May 29. -- PTI
23:28 Worst over but NDRF teams to stay: DG
Cyclone Nisarga, which slammed the Maharashtra coast with wind speeds of up to 120 kmph, caused minimal damage to life and property and the 'worst is over', the National Disaster Response Force chief said on Wednesday evening.
However, NDRF teams will remain deployed and assist state authorities in recovery work, said S N Pradhan, the chief of the federal contingency force, in a video message.
"Whatever damage has happened has been generally limited to Raigad district and its talukas," he said, adding the 'worst is over'.
The cyclone, which originated in the Arabian Sea, made a landfall in Alibaug town in the coastal Raigad district at 12:30 pm and the process continued for two hours.
By evening, it had weakened into a cyclonic storm and is likely to further lose its intensity.
"We have an unconfirmed report of one death in Raigad district due to the cyclone but that has to be confirmed by the state authorities.
"Overall, the worst has passed and the cyclone situation was well negotiated because of timely preparations and coordination between central and state authorities," the NDRF chief said.
He said about one lakh people were evacuated from the affected areas.
The NDRF had deployed 43 teams in the two states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, where the cyclone was headed.
An NDRF team has about 45 personnel each and they are equipped with pole and tree cutters, portable communication equipment, satellite phones and basic medical kits.
The NDRF had deployed 20 teams in Maharashtra -- one in Sindhudurg; two each in Ratnagiri, Thane and Palghar; five in Raigad; and eight in Mumbai, a spokesperson said.
One team was reserved at the NDRF base in Pune, he said.
In Gujarat, the force has deployed 16 teams -- one each in Gandhi Nagar, Bharuch, Amreli, Gir Somnath, Anand, Bhav Nagar and Kheda; two in Navsari; three in Surat; and four in Valsad.
Two teams are kept as reserves at Vadodara, the NDRF spokesperson said.Also, two teams each have been deployed in Daman (Daman and Diu) and Silvassa (Dadra & Nagar Haveli).
"All teams are on alert mode in their respective locations," the spokesperson added. -- PTI
23:13 Kerala govt orders probe into wild elephant death
The Kerala government on Wednesday said a wildlife crime investigation team has been sent to probe the brutal killing of a pregnant wild elephant in the Mannarkad Forest division in Palakkad district last month.
The elephant had consumed a pineapple filled with explosives which exploded in the animal's mouth when it chomped on it.
A preliminary investigation has been launched into the incident and the police have been directed to take stringent action against those responsible for the act, Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters Thiruvananthapuram.
A wildlife crime investigation team from Kozhikode has been dispatched to the place of the incident for further investigation, he said.
Police have been instructed to take strict action against the culprits, he said. -- PTI
22:45 Nisarga to weaken into depression in 6 hrs: IMD
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said that it is expected that Cyclone Nisarga that has hit Maharashtra will weaken into a depression in the next six hours.
"We expect that Cyclone Nisarga will weaken into a deep depression within the next three hours and further weaken into a depression in the next 6 hours. Currently, it lays centred over Pune in Maharashtra," Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of IMD.
After making landfall in Maharashtra, Cyclone Nisarga has impacted many daily activities and affected transport services in Maharashtra.
While a 58-year-old man lost his life after an electric pole fell on him Alibaug area of Raigad, a 65-year-old woman Manjabai Ananta Navle died in Pune's Khed tehsil.
Five of the family members of the deceased woman sustained injuries after their house was damaged due to heavy wind speed in the Khed tehsil of Pune.
Two of them are being treated in hospital for their injury while the other two are stable.
"The House of this family was damaged and walls were collapsed as heavy winds due to Nisarga cyclone were observed in low lying areas of Pune district. The incident happened at around 5 pm today," officials said.
Pune city Fire brigade department received about 60 calls related to tree uprooting and nine calls related to waterlogging till this evening.
Several evacuation operations are being conducted across the state by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with the help of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), armed forces and the state police. -- ANI
22:09 Maha showed nerve to ward off Nisarga: Uddhav
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said the resilience showed by people and officials helped in 'mitigating the intensity' of the cyclone 'Nisarga' which had hovered over the state amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
After hitting the Maharashtra coast near Alibaug with wind speeds of up to 120 kmph in afternoon, the cyclone weakened into intensity in the evening and moved towards north-east Maharashtra, sparing Mumbai and other areas.
Thackeray said losses have been reported from coastal Konkan and some other regions.
He said and orders have been issued to carry out spot inspections to assess the damages caused by the cyclone.
'The unity exhibited by the people will help bring Maharashtra out of all crises,' the CM said in a statement.
He also expressed grief over the two deaths reported from the state due to the cyclone-related incidents.
'Thanking all who protected Maharashtra along with Mumbai in the face of the Nisarga cyclone which had hovered over Maharashtra at a time when the state is already grappling with COVID-19.
'But we all warded it (the cyclone crisis) off. The people and administration fought hard and mitigated the intensity of the crisis,' the chief minister said.
Thackeray said Maharashtra has blessings of Mumbadevi of Mumbai and Lord Vitthala of Pandharpur.
He said the state cannot thank enough its civic officials, district administrations, disaster management authority and medical squads for their work during the cyclone crisis.
'None can withstand the fury of nature, but Maharashtra is united and strong in the face of crisis and the cyclone has shown this. This unity will help us bring the state out of all the crises,' Thackeray said. -- PTI
22:00 India successful in containing COVID-19: Prez
India has made strenuous efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and has been successful to a large extent, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Wednesday.
In a telephonic conversation with Georgia's President Salome Zourabichvili, Kovind said India has also been at the forefront in mobilising international efforts against the pandemic and extended medical supplies support to over 150 countries.
'The president informed the Georgian president that India has made strenuous efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and we have been successful to a large extent,' a statement issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan said.
Taking note of the challenges faced by the world from the pandemic and the disruption of life across the globe, the president noted that Georgia's national efforts have been remarkable in containing the spread of coronavirus.
'The two leaders noted that the global community must collectively work to energise economic growth,' it said.
Referring to the presence of a large number of Indian students in Georgia, many of whom pursuing medical education, Kovind thanked the Georgian government for their cooperation in their evacuation and for the welfare of the Indian community residing in Georgia.
'The two leaders discussed bilateral ties. The President said that India valued its warm and friendly ties with Georgia. The two countries need to give greater focus to their relations in trade, economic and cultural fields,' the statement said.
Kovind said India is happy to advance its cooperation with Georgia in the field of training and capacity building. -- PTI
21:28 Shah Faesal reaches home after his release
JUST IN: Former IAS officer-turned-politician Shah Faesal has reached his home after his release on Wednesday.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wednesday revoked the controversial Public Safety Act (PSA) against Faesal and two People's Democratic Party members, including the maternal uncle of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, officials said.
According to separate orders issued by the home department of the Union Territory, the PSA against Faesal, who was a 2010-batch IAS officer, Sartaj Madani, uncle of Mufti, and Peer Mansoor, her political advisor during her tenure as chief minister, was revoked 'with immediate effect'.
While the PSA against Faesal was extended on May 14, it was also extended against Madani, who was lodged in an official bungalow, on May 5 and Mansoor, held up at MLA hostel, on May 15 for a period of three months.
After Wednesday's order, Mufti, whose official residence was designated into a sub-jail, National Conference (NC) general secretary Ali Mohammed Sagar, son of NC parliamentarian Akbar Lone, Hilal Lone and senior PDP leader Nayeem Akhthar continue to remain in detention.
Faesal, who was under detention after scrapping of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, was booked under the PSA in February this year, with his detention being extended barely hours before it was to come to an end.
The three were among a host of political leaders detained initially under preventive custody and later under the PSA in the aftermath of August 5 development when the Centre withdrew the special status of the erstwhile state and bifurcated it into two union territories -- Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir. -- with PTI inputs
20:50 Nisarga moving towards north-east Maha: IMD
After making landfall at Alibaug in Maharashtra's Raigad district on Wednesday afternoon, cyclonic storm 'Nisarga' is moving north-east and is likely to impact Nashik, Dhule and Nandurbar districts, which may witness heavy showers with gusty winds, an Indian Meteorological Department official said.
The landfall process started near Alibaug at around 1 pm and ended by 4 pm, he said.
Districts such as Raigad, Palghar, Thane and Mumbai were affected by the cyclonic storm.
"As per the predictions, heavy to very heavy rains with gusty winds were experienced," said head of the weather department, Pune, Anupam Kashyapi.
The cyclone was now moving north-east and is likely to affect Nashik, Dhule and Nandurbar in north Maharashtra, he added.
"The north-west part of Pune district will also be affected because of the movement of the storm. Widespread rains will be witnessed in Pune city and district, while heavy to very heavy showers are likely in ghat areas," the official said.
Water-logging, landslides and instances of tree falling are also likely to occur in ghat areas, he said.
"The impact of the storm is likely to last in the (Pune) district till 8.30 pm and by 11.30 pm, it will subside," he added.
The landfall process started near Alibaug at around 1 pm and ended by 4 pm, he said.
Districts such as Raigad, Palghar, Thane and Mumbai were affected by the cyclonic storm.
"As per the predictions, heavy to very heavy rains with gusty winds were experienced," said head of the weather department, Pune, Anupam Kashyapi.
The cyclone was now moving north-east and is likely to affect Nashik, Dhule and Nandurbar in north Maharashtra, he added.
"The north-west part of Pune district will also be affected because of the movement of the storm. Widespread rains will be witnessed in Pune city and district, while heavy to very heavy showers are likely in ghat areas," the official said.
Water-logging, landslides and instances of tree falling are also likely to occur in ghat areas, he said.
"The impact of the storm is likely to last in the (Pune) district till 8.30 pm and by 11.30 pm, it will subside," he added.
Incidents of tree falling, electric posts getting uprooted and tin sheds flying away were reported from several parts of Pune district.
IMAGE: A sea-wave strikes at a vessel near Mirya embankment during Cyclone Nisarga at Ratnagiri Narmada Cement Port in Ratnagiri, Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Photograph: PTI Photo
20:46 Veteran Bollywood lyricist Anwar Sagar passes away
Veteran lyricist Anwar Sagar, best remembered for his hit track Wada Raha Sanam from the Akshay Kumar-starrer Khiladi, passed away on Wednesday.
The lyricist was brought dead to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital in the afternoon. He must be close to 70 years, a hospital source told PTI.
According to Syed Ahmad, singer and a board member of the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS), Anwar was "suffering from heart related ailments and finally died of cardiac arrest".
He is survived by his wife and two children, Ahmad said.
Anwar wrote songs for the '80s and '90s films such as David Dhawan's Yaraana, Jackie Shroff's Sapne Saajan Ke, Khiladi, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Ajay Devgn-starrer Vijaypath, among others.
His most popular creation is the romantic track Wada Raha Sanam picturised on Akshay and Ayesha Jhulka.
A car lies damaged in tree fall caused by cyclone Nisarga. Photograph: @satyaprad1/NDRF
19:59 Nisarga has weakened into cyclonic storm: IMD
After hitting the Maharashtra coast with wind speeds of up to 120 kmph on Wednesday afternoon, Cyclone Nisarga weakened into a 'cyclonic storm' in the evening, the India meteorological department said.
The process of landfall, which began at 12.30 pm at Alibaug, had completed by 2.30 pm, IMD director general Mrutunjay Mohapatra said. By 4 pm, the cyclone had started weakening with wind speeds of 90-100 kilometres per hour.
The storm currently lay over Raigad and Pune districts, he said.
The current wind speed of the storm has also reduced to 65-75 kilometres per hour, the IMD said in a bulletin at 6.30 pm.
The cyclone will further weaken into a deep depression by late night, the IMD bulletin said.
19:48 Cyclone may intensify, stay indoors: Raigad MP
Urging people in coastal areas to remain indoors, Nationalist Congress Party MP from Raigad Sunil Tatkare on Wednesday said the threat posed by cyclonic storm Nisarga has still not abated and it may intensify in the evening.
Taking to Twitter, Tatkare also asked people to follow instructions issued by the state government with regard to the cyclone, which made landfall in the Raigad district earlier in the day.
'The threat is still not over. The cyclone may intensify after evening. Hence, people should stay safe inside homes. They should not step out for any reason,' he tweeted.
The impact of the cyclone was witnessed in Raigad and Ratnagiri districts and instances of trees falling and roofs flying off structures were also reported, he said.
The NCP leader further noted that the cyclone had hit Pen, Indapur, Mangaon, Roha, Kolad, Murud, Alibaug, Shrivardhan and Ratnagiri. -- PTI
18:48 Nisarga: Flight ops resume at Mumbai airport
The flight operations at the Mumbai airport, which were earlier suspended till 7 pm, have now resumed.
'Landings and take offs are resumed at your favorite airport,' Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airprot said on Twitter.
Earlier, an airport spokesperson had said that flight ops will resume at 6 pm.
'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.
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 private airport operator had scheduled a total of 19 flights for Wednesday, which include 11 departures and eight arrivals to be operated by five airlines -- Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoAir and AirAsia India.
It had, however, said schedule could change as well depending upon the situation.
Mumbai airport was allowed to operate a total of 50 flights per day, 25 departures and arrivals each following the resumption of air passenger services on the domestic routes from May 25. -- with PTI inputs
18:32 Cyclone Nisarga: Rains cause water-logging in 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.
The cyclone made landfall in coastal Raigad district, several kilometres away from Pune, on Wednesday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, the IMD predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in ghat areas in and around Pune district with squally and gutsy winds.
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.
In Pune, heavy rains left several low-lying areas marooned.
"The fire brigade, the PMC's disaster management team are kept on alert to tackle the situation," said Shekhar Gaikwad, the PMC Commissioner.
Meanwhile, at least two flights that were supposed to land in Pune from Delhi and Hyderabad were diverted to Surat and Hyderabad, respectively.
A Pune-Delhi flight was cancelled. -- PTI
17:54 Nisarga: Mumbai to face post landfall effects
JUST IN: Severe cyclonic storm Nisarga has crossed Raigad District. Now we are experiencing post-landfall effect with a wind speed of 90-100 kmph in Mumbai and Thane and moderate to heavy to very heavy rainfall, says Shubhangi Bhute, Scientist, Indian Meteorological Department, Mumbai. -- ANI
17:46 Mumbai Cong sets up control room in view of 'Nisarga' cyclone
The Mumbai unit of the Congress has set up a 'control room' to assist people in view of the threat posed by the severe cyclonic storm 'Nisarga' that made landfall in Raigad on Wednesday.
The Maharashtra Congress gave this information on its official Twitter handle.
'The Congress is always ready to help you,' said the party on the micro-blogging site.
It also shared the contact numbers of its key leaders from Mumbai, including Maharashtra ministers Varsha Gaikwad and Aslam Shaikh, Mumbai wing chief Eknath Gaikwad and party leaders from the city including Ravi Raja and others. -- PTI
16:59 Nisarga's landfall to be completed in next hour
The rear part of wall cloud region is still over the sea and the landfall process will be completed by next one hour, says IMD.
IMD also said that Nisarga is likely to move northeastwards and weaken into a cyclonic storm during the next six hours. Alibagh reported 93 kmph windspeed at 13:30 hours IST, says IMD.
Weatherman Skymet has issued a statement, saying, "Threat for Mumbai is almost over. Rains to continue until tonight but winds will not exceed 50 kmph."
Meanwhile, Mumbai police has reported that three members of a family were injured when cement blocks from an adjacent under-construction building fell on their shanty at Santacruz in Mumbai due to gusty winds.
16:33 Nisarga: No major impact in Gujarat
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.
The cyclone made landfall near Alibaug in coastal Raigad district of Maharashtra around 12:30 pm.
As per India Meteorological Department, Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Palghar in Maharashtra will feel the impact of gusty winds and heavy rains being caused by the storm.
"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.
As a precautionary measure, over 63,700 people living close to the coast in eight districts have been evacuated to safer places, said Patel.
While 33,680 of them were evacuated from Valsad district, 14,400 people were evacuated in Navsari, 8,727 in Surat, 3,066 in Bhavnagar, 2,086 in Amreli, 1,2020 in Bharuch, 761 in Anand and 228 in Gir-Somnath.
-- PTI
15:56 Cyclone Nisarga: Mobile network services disrupted in parts of Raigad
Mobile network services disrupted in some parts of Maharashtra's Raigad district due to Cyclone Nisarga, says Nidhi Choudhari, District Magistrate.
15:31 CM Uddhav Thackeray holds review meeting
A meeting over video conferencing, chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is underway with district collectors to review the cyclone Nisarga situation in the state.
Hundreds of people living close to various beaches in Mumbai are being shifted to safer places today in light of cyclone 'Nisarga' which has made landfall near Alibaug, 95 kms from here, police said. Mumbai Police and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation are taking all precautionary measures to minimise any damage likely to be caused by the cyclone, an official said.
Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt, Madhuri Dixit and others have urged people to take precautionary measures to safeguard themselves from cyclone Nisarga, which is expected to make landfall close to the city today. Akshay uploaded a video on Instagram, explaining the do's and don'ts listed by the BMC. "Cyclone Nisarga Precautions. The much-awaited Mumbai rains are here but this year we have an uninvited guest, #CycloneNisarga!"
15:06 Mumbai airport closes down due to Cyclone Nisarga
Mumbai airport will remain shut till 7 pm, read a statement from the authorities. "Till 19:00 hrs, no take-off or landings would take place at the airport due to Cyclone Nisarga," read the statement from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai.
Earlier in the day, Mumbai airport decided to cut down its operations, allowing only 19 flights.
Owing to the cyclone warning, many airlines had also cancelled their Mumbai operations. IndiGo informed that the airline will only operate three flights from Mumbai on June 3.
14:52 Cyclone Nisarga now 80 km from Mumbai
IMD says the center of Cyclone Nisarga has moved northeastwards and crossed Maharashtra coast close to south of Alibaug and lay centered at 13:30 pm over coastal Maharashtra near latitude 18.4North and longitude 73.0East close to south-southeast of Alibag and 80 km south-southeast of Mumbai.
The winds has picked up speed in Mumbai as well where vehicles parked on the roads have been damaged by felling trees.
Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal tweets to Uddhav Thackeray saying, "On behalf of the people of Delhi, I extend our full support and solidarity with you and the people of Maharashtra in the wake of #CycloneNisarg We are praying for the safety of the people of Maharashtra."
14:30 FedEx aircraft overshoots runway in Mumbai airport
An MD 11 aircraft operated by FedEx overshot the Mumbai airport runway today by nine metres, reports the Times of India. The aircraft was flying in from Bengaluru and was landing on the secondary runway in Mumbai airport amid high-speed wind and rain. Luckily there was no damage to either the aircraft or the airport infrastructure, the report added.
14:18 Cyclone: Traffic on Bandra-Worli sea link suspended
Vehicular movement on iconic Bandra-Worli sea link in Mumbai was suspended on Wednesday in light of cyclone 'Nisarga' which began landfall near Alibaug, about 95 km from Mumbai, police said.
"In light of #CycloneNisarga, no vehicular movement is permitted on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link," tweeted Mumbai Police.
Mumbai Police are taking every precautions to avert any untoward damage due to the cyclone, it said.
An alert has already been sounded in Mumbai in view of the cyclone 'Nisarga', which made landfall near Alibaug around 12.30 pm.
-- PTI
14:01 Cyclone Nisarga to enter Mumbai in next 3 hours
The process of landfall started around 12.30 pm. It made landfall about 40 km from Alibaug, 95 km from Mumbai.
The right side of the wall cloud passes through coastal region of Maharashtra, mainly the Raigad district.
It will gradually enter into Mumbai and Thane districts during the next three hours, the IMD said in a statement. The wind speed of the cyclone is currently 100-110 kilometres per hour, it added.
13:54 43 NDRF teams evacuate 1 lakh in Maharashtra
About 43 National Disaster Response Force teams are deployed in the two states of Gujarat and Maharashtra; of which 21 are in Maharashtra.
According to NDRF Director General, SN Pradhan, nearly 1 lakh people have been evacuated from the cyclone spot.
The NDRF has been carrying out swift evacuations in Palghar, Raigad districts in Maharashtra as well as in Navsari and Valsad in Gujarat.
13:38 72 kmph wind speed in Colaba, Mumbai
IMD has said during the landfall in Alibag, Colaba in Mumbai has recorded 72 kmph wind speed. Under the influence of the severe cyclonic storm, Harnai has recorded 74 kmph wind speed.
13:35 Cyclone Nisarga moving along predicted path: NDRF DG
Cyclone Nisarga is moving along the predicted path and is expected to make landfall between 2 pm and 4:30 pm on Wednesday around Alibaug in Maharashtra, NDRF chief S N Pradhan said.
The Director General of the federal contingency force said a total of 43 teams of the National Disaster Response Force are deployed in the two states of Gujarat and Maharashtra.
"The cyclone is expected to make landfall between 2 pm and 4:30 pm somewhere a little south of Alibaug in Raigad district," he said.
"It is moving along the predicted path as stated by the IMD and in southern parts of Maharashtra the signs of cyclone building up are evident," Pradhan said in a video message update on the cyclone.
In Ratnagiri, winds and rains have picked up, the DG said.
The evacuation work is nearly complete, he said, adding, precautionary measures are being taken and people in cyclone shelters are being taught life skills with social distancing.
All preparations have been done by central and state agencies and coordination is of a high order, Pradhan said.
"Let us hope we ride through the cyclone and safely negotiate it," he said.
Cyclone Nisarga comes a week after Cyclone Amphan wreaked havoc in West Bengal and also affected coastal Odisha.
-- PTI
13:25 Nisarga begins landfall near Alibaug
The center of the severe Cyclone Nisarga is very close to Maharashtra coast. Landfall process started and it will be completed during next 3 hours. The northeast sector of the eye of severe cyclonic storm is entering into land.
In its latest update, IMD has said, "NISARGA is making the landfall south of Alibag now. Strong winds of 120-140 hmph and heavy rains being observed in the eye wall of the cyclonic storm. The wall of the eye is a fast rotating (anti-clockwise) mass of deep convective clouds wrapped around the eye of the storm." The cyclonce landfall will continue for 3 hours.
More details to come.
Red alert is put up on Mumbai's Juhu beach. Photograph: Kunal Patil / PTI Photo.
12:58 LIVE! How Mumbai police is geared up to handle Nisarga
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mumbai police, Pranay Ashok, speaks to Rediff.com about how the force is prepared to meet any eventuality over cyclone Nisarga.
'We are prepared for it ever since indications were given to us yesterday. We have activated our disaster management plan.
'Since last evening, our public announcement systems have been activated. We are using them to make people aware of the situation and asking them to stay indoors. People have been evacuated from certain low lying areas in the city and shifted to safe shelter homes.
'All police personnel have been provided with raincoats and emergency lights.
'We have also kept ourselves ready with disaster management equipment like ropes, hacksaws, hammers, life jackets and tree-cutting equipment so that if there is any problem we can deal with it quickly.
'Traffic diversions have been planned across the city in consultation with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and fire brigade authorities. Two units of the National Disaster Response Force have also arrived.
'We are preventing anyone from coming out of their homes, especially in coastal areas, and an order under Section 144 has already been issued from the midnight of June 2 to June 3. This will help us keep people away from accessing coasts, beaches, promenades and sea faces.
'People are being informed on Twitter and other social media platforms to stay indoors.
'We're also looking into addressing the issues highlighted by the people on our Twitter handle through our main control room.
'As notified by the BMC, the Indian armed forces (the Navy and the Air Force) have also been put on alert. As required, there will be coordinated efforts and effective communications among all the personnel who will be helping in dealing with cyclone Nisarga's landfall.
'Right now the priority is evacuation of people from low-lying and other areas which are prone to inundation in minimum possible time. We are strictly following the protocol (for maintaining social distancing) and maintaining a balance between the two (quick evacuation and maintaining social distance) and as soon as things return to normalcy we will ensure that lockdown guidelines are restored as soon as possible.
'Our strength at the police station level and the reserved forces that we have stands at around 40,000 people, and 50,000 is the sanctioned strength of the Mumbai police and out of that we have close to 40,000 to 45,000 personnel at our disposal.
'All these preparations are made to deal with the landfall and what happens after that.
-- Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com
12:54 Trees lie uprooted in Raigad district ahead of landfall
Many trees uprooted in Raigad district where Cyclone Nisarga will be making landfall in some time.
12:40 Mumbai zoo animals shifted ahead of Nisarga
In the wake of Cyclone Nisarga, carnivores like tiger, leopard, hyena etc at Mumbai's Veer Mata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan & Zoo have been shifted into their holding areas, which are safer, to avoid any damage from tree fall.
The zoo emergency response team of 20 people, including animal keepers, security staff and tree trimming staff with all the necessary equipments, has been deputed to tackle any untoward incidence.
Besides, CCTV monitoring of prone areas is being done to have quick response.
The BMC has also arranged pumps at more than 300 potential water logging areas. In addition, all six pumping stations have been provided with adequate manpower, in the view of cyclone 'Nisarga'.
12:12 AAP's Sanjay Singh sending 33 migrants home with flight tickets from MP quota
AAP leader Sanjay Singh has decided to use the 34 air tickets he is entitled to as an MP to help stranded migrant workers reach Patna from Delhi by flight, party sources said.
He will accompany 33 migrant workers in a flight to Patna on Wednesday evening, they said. An MP is entitled to 34 business class tickets in domestic flights annually.
The decision was praised by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who said it would be an inspiration for everyone.
"Everyone will be inspired by this unique initiative of Sanjay ji. Those whom God has given means, it is their responsibility to put their resources in the service of others. Sanjay ji deserves to be congratulated," Kejriwal said in a tweet.
Responding to the compliment, Singh said these were the ideals with which he entered politics.
"Thank you Arvind Kejriwal ji. These are the ideals with which we entered politics with you and I will try to follow them throughout my life," he said in a tweet.
The coronavirus-triggered lockdown has had a devastating impact on the economy as well as on the livelihoods of lakhs of migrant workers.
-- PTI
11:40 Mumbai Fire Brigade on alert, 93 lifeguards deployed at beaches
Mumbai Fire Brigade has been directed to stay alert to respond immediately in case of emergencies.
93 lifeguards have been deployed at 6 beaches. 8 units of National Disaster Response Force and 5 units of Navy have been deployed at various locations in the city. NDRF has 1 team each in Colaba (Ward A), Worli (G/South), Bandra (H/East), Malad (P/South) & Borivali (R/North) & 3 teams in Andheri (K/West), says Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
11:26 All fishing boats return ahead of 'Nisarga'
All fishing boats which were out in the sea off Palghar coast have returned ahead of the cyclone 'Nisarga', which is set to make a landfall at Alibaug in neighbouring Raigad district of Maharashtra on Wednesday afternoon, an official said.
As many as 577 fishing boats from Palghar had earlier gone out in the sea and till Monday evening, 564 came back.
Later, help was sought from the Coast Guard, Navy and the fisheries department and the remaining 13 boats also returned to the shore late Tuesday evening, district disaster
control chief Vivekanand Kadam said.
Till Wednesday morning, more than 15,000 people residing in low lying areas and 'kutcha' houses near the coast in Dahanu, Palghar, Vasai and Talasari tehsils of Palghar were evacuated and shifted to safer places, he said.
Prohibitory orders have already been imposed in Palghar and neighbouring Thane district till Thursday, and people, including fishermen, have been asked not to venture into the sea.
-- PTI
11:07 Stay indoors, appeals Maha Deputy CM
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has appealed to people living in the coastal areas to stay indoors till the rainfall subsides and woes of cyclone Nisarga subside.
Cyclone Nisarga will cross Maharashtra coast between Harihareshwar and Daman, very close to Alibag between 1 pm to 4 pm. While crossing the coast it will have strong winds of 100-120 kmph over Mumbai, Thane and Raigad districts of Maharashtra, says Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, DGM, IMD. Heavy rains and high tides witnessed in Mumbai.
10:50 Cyclone Nisarga: Priyanka Chopra requests people to take precautions
"This year feels relentless," actor Priyanka Chopra said urging Mumbai residents to take precautionary measures in view of Cyclone Nisarga.
The cyclone storm is approaching the north coast of Maharashtra with a speed of 11 kilometres per hour, according to the India Meteorological Department on Wednesday.
Sharing Mumbai's famous Bandra-Worli Sea Link road picture on her Instagram story, the actor wrote: "Cyclone Nisarga is making its way to Mumbai, my beloved home city of more than 20 million people, including my mom and brother."
"Mumbai hasn't experienced a serious cyclone landfall since 1891, and at a time when the world is so desperate, this could be especially devastating," the actor added.
"This year feels relentless. Please, everyone, find cover, take precautions, and follow the guidelines outlines. Please stay safe everyone, " said Chopra as she shared a swipe up link to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation page that details the Dos and Don'ts for Mumbaikars to take on Cyclone Nisarga.
Earlier, the IMD had stated that the severe cyclonic storm is expected to impact the Maharashtra coast by the afternoon/evening of June 3.
-- ANI
10:31 Guj braces for cyclone Nisarga; thousands evacuated from coast
Nearly 43,000 people living near the coastline in Gujarat's Valsad and Navsari districts have so far been shifted to safer places as the state prepares to face the approaching cyclonic storm 'Nisarga', officials
said on Wednesday.
As many as 13 teams of the National Disaster Response Force and six teams of the State Disaster Response
Force have been deployed at different locations, the state government said in a release.
Five more teams of NDRF have also been called in, the government said.
Valsad Collector R R Raval said, "We have shifted nearly 32,000 people living close to the seashore to temporary
shelters. The weather is cloudy at present, but winds have not started yet."
Besides, some 11,000 people have been evacuated from different villages of Navsari district ahead of the cyclone,
another official said.
-- PTI
10:24 Cyclone 140 km from Alibaug, landfall after 1 pm
Mumbai IMD head KS Hosalikar says, Cyclone Nisarga is around 140 kms from Alibaug and 190 kms away from Mumbai. As per IMD, the cyclonic storm should make landfall between 1 to 3 pm today with 100 to 110 kmph wind speed.
The Central Railway has rescheduled, diverted and regulated some trains from Mumbai in view of the cyclonic storm Nisarga which is set to make a landfall at Alibaug this afternoon. Five special trains departing from Mumbai have been rescheduled and three special trains will be either diverted.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has also issued a warning, While its best that you stay at home during heavy rainfall; but if, for some unavoidable reason, you need to drive your car, please ensure that you carry hammer or objects that can help you break glass in case your car doors get jammed.
10:00 India records fresh steep spike of 8,909 cases
With 8,909 cases, India has recorded its biggest single day jump of coronavirus cases, taking the nation's tally to 2,07,615.
The country also recorded 217 deaths in the last 24 hours, with the final count now at 5,815 deaths.
According to ICMR, a total 41,03,233 samples have been tested till now, of which 1,37,158 samples have been tested in the last 24 hours.
09:48 High tide in Mumbai
High tide in Mumbai: First high tide at 10.14 am of 4.26 metre and second high tide at 9.48 pm of 4.08 metre. Mumbai is being lashed with heavy rainfall as Cyclone Nisarga approaches the north Maharashtra coast. Prohibitory orders have been issued in Mumbai restricting outdoor movement in view of the intensifying cyclonic storm.
09:28 Cyclone Nisarga: Section 144 imposed in Mumbai
In the wake of impending cyclone Nisarga, the Mumbai Police on Wednesday imposed Section 144 in the city from midnight to Thursday afternoon.
The police also banned citizens from visiting places like beaches, parks and promenades along the coastline. As per the India Meteorological Department, cyclone Nisarga is expected to affect the city today between 11 am to 7 pm.
As a precautionary measure, the Central Railways has rescheduled several special trains which were supposed to arrive or depart from the state capital on Wednesday.
According to the Central Railways, the timings of trains for Gorakhpur, Darbhanga, Varanasi and for some other places which were earlier scheduled to leave the financial capital in the morning have now been changed.
Similarly, some of the special trains scheduled to arrive at Mumbai area today have also been regulated/diverted by the railway authorities.
-- ANI
09:02 Cyclone Nisarga has intensified in 1 hour: IMD
IMD has said the eye diameter is about 65 km as observed through the radar.
Thus the diameter has decreased in the past 1 hour, indicating intensification of system. Hence wind speed has increased from 85-95 kmph to 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph. Wind conditions will further increase upto 100-110 gusting to 120 kmph as conditions are favorable for intensification. The higher sea surface temperature and low vertical wind shear favoured the intensification of severe cyclonic circulation.
In the face of the impending storm, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Earth Sciences said, The cyclone has intensified into severe cyclonic storm and lay centred at 05:30 hours over Eastcentral Arabian Sea about 165km southwest of Alibaug and 215km south of Mumbai. Heavy rainfalls likely over coastal Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat in the next few hours. People are advised to remain indoors but mobilise evacuation from low lying areas. I advise fishermen to suspend operations and not venture into Eastcentral and Northeast Arabian Sea and along the Karnataka-Goa-Maharashtra-south Gujarat coast.
08:37 Cyclone Nisarga: Mumbai airport operations hit
The Mumbai international airport will handle only 19 flights on Wednesday as a precautionary measure in the wake of Cyclone Nisarga.
The Mumbai airport decided to cut down its operations following the IMD forecast that Cyclone Nisarg will accompany extremely heavy rains and wind speed that could cross the 100 km/hr mark.
A Mumbai International Airport Limited spokesperson said, As of now, there are eight arrivals and 11 departures for June 3. All the necessary safety measures have been put into place.
Owing to the cyclone warning, many airlines have also cancelled their Mumbai operations. IndiGo informed that the airline will only operate three flights from Mumbai on June 3.
08:19 Cyclone Nisarga 200 km from Mumbai
Cyclone Nisarga is now approaching the north Maharashtra coast and is about to make landfall around Alibaug this afternoon.
The cyclone has moved at a speed of 13 kmph in the past 6 hours. IMD has said the severe cyclonic storm Nisarga is now located around 155 km south-southwest of Alibaug and 200 km south-southwest of Mumbai.
IMD has said that the eye of the cyclone is now visible in the radar and the Maharashtra coast has been engulfed in a cloud band.
Rainfall has started intensifying over the Maharashtra coast and will gradually increase further. NDRF has deployed 20 teams in in Maharashtra - 8 teams in Mumbai, 5 teams in Raigad where the cyclone is expected to make landfall, 2 teams in Palghar, 2 teams in Thane (1 enroute), 2 teams in Ratnagiri and 1 team in Sindhudurg.
The two states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, which will be most affected by the cyclone, have both deployed NDRF teams and started evacuating people on Tuesday itself.
The two states that are already ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic is bracing for more strain on the healthcare sector with the oncoming cyclone. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the chief ministers of Maharashtra and Gujarat and assured them all possible help from the Centre.
07:48 Nisarga may intensify to severe cyclonic storm
Cyclone Nisarga is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during the next six hours and is very likely to move north-northeastwards and cross north Maharashtra and adjoining south Gujarat coast between Harihareshwar and Daman, close to Alibagh (Raigad District, Maharashtra) this afternoon with a maximum sustained wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph, says the Indian Metereological Department.
Meanwhile, apart from Mumbai, precautionary measures are being taken in Pune to cope with any possible ravages of cyclone Nisarga even as the risk to the district may be relatively low compared to that in Mumbai and other districts in the Konkan division.
In Pune, a number of tehsils in the districts rural parts have been placed on high alert'.
Lifeguards on the alert at Juhu beach, Mumbai. Photograph: Ashish Vaishnav / ANI Photo.
07:18 Nisarga moving to north Maha coast at 11 kmph
Cyclone Nisarga is approaching the coast of north Maharashtra with a speed of 11 kilometres per hour, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday.
"Cyclone Nisarga is approaching north Maharashtra coast with a speed of 11 kmph. It is about 200 km south-south-west of Alibaug and about 250 km south-south-west of Mumbai at 02.30 am IST of June 3," according to a tweet by the IMD.
The weather forecast agency further said that at 4.30 am the wind speed had increased to 22 kmph at Santacruz in Mumbai.
It has also predicted that light to moderate rainfall will take place at most places with isolated heavy falls very likely over coastal Karnataka and Marathwada during the next six hours. Extremely heavy rainfall (above 20 centimetres in 24 hours) is also likely at isolated places over north Konkan (Mumbai, Palghar, Thane, Raigad districts) and north Madhya Maharashtra today.
"After the landfall, the severe cyclonic storm is very likely to maintain its cyclonic storm intensity for about 6 hours while moving north-north-eastwards across north Madhya Maharashtra. Under its influence gale wind reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph very likely to prevail over Pune, Ahmednagar and 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph in adjoining Beed, Nashik and Aurangabad districts of Maharashtra," it said in a bulletin.
Earlier, the IMD had stated that the severe cyclonic storm is expected to impact the Maharashtra coast by the afternoon/evening of June 3.
00:32 Ahead of Nisarga landfall, rains lash Mumbai
Ahead of the expected landfall of cyclone 'Nisarga' in Alibaug in Maharashtra's Raigad district, Mumbai and its metropolitan areas received rainfall since evening on Tuesday, which intensified later in the night.
'Met updates at 10.30 pm, 2 Jun. Mumbai and around rainfall since evening. Now its picked up intensity,' India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Mumbai deputy director general of meteorology K S Hosalikar tweeted.
The IMD has predicted moderate rainfall in most parts of the metropolis and heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated places over the next 24 hours. -- PTI
IMAGE: Cars ply during heavy rainfall in the wake of Cyclone Nisarga, during the ongoing COVID-19 nationwide lockdown, in Mumbai, on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
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