Cyclone Vayu | 'Centre monitoring situation closely,' assures PM Narendra Modi as he urges people to follow safety measures

With the onslaught of Cyclone Vayu likely to hit the coastal towns of Gujarat and other places, Prime Minister has urged the people to follow the safety measures. He has also assured them that the Government is closely monitoring the situation and keeping in constant touch with the State Governments.

Cyclone Vayu fast moving towards the North is likely to hit the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around Diu and Veraval on 13th June early morning. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said that the Cyclone Vayu has intensified into a 'very severe cyclonic storm' and will make landfall on June 13 with wind speed around 150 kmph gusting up to 170 kmph.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani held a review meeting with officials on the preparedness of state administration in view of Cyclone Vayu forecast. He also instructed District Collectors to leave no stone unturned to counter any adverse situation.

Anticipating the impact of Cyclone Vayu, schools and colleges have declared a holiday on June 13 and 14 and exams have also been postponed.  Orange alerted cyclonic storm is expected to bring widespread rain all along India’s western coast, as per IMD.

READ Cyclone VAYU Update: Gujarat Steps Up Preparations For Ahead Of Thursday Morning Landfall Forecast, IMD Upgrades To 'Very Severe Cyclonic Storm'

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that the concerned district collectors have been asked to shift people, who are living in the low lying area in coastal parts of the state and within 10 km periphery of the coast, to safer places compulsorily.

“The power supply will continue in all the coastal districts in Gujarat until officers concerned take a call to stop it keeping in view of Cyclone,’’ says Gujarat power minister Saurabh Patel.

The Gujarat tourism department has urged travellers, who have planned their visits in coming two-three days, to postpone as the cyclonic storm intensifies, while flight operations from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to Porbandar, Diu, Kandla, Mundra and Bhavnagar are cancelled for June 13.

CM Rupani told reporters on Tuesday that authorities are prepping to evacuate close to 3,00,000 people off the western coast. Gujarat Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Pankaj Kumar said the help of the Air Force would also be taken "if needed".

WATCH: Indian Coast Guard Ship Patrols Porbandar Ahead Of Cyclone Vayu's Landfall In Gujarat