Cyclonic Storm ASNA to Make Landfall in Gujarat, Weakening Expected (Image:X @IMD)
India Meteorological Department (IMD) alerted Gujarat, residents, that a Cyclonic Storm ASNA is found situated over the northeast and adjacent northwest Arabian Sea which is approximately 360 km west of Naliya, 260 km southwest of Karachi, 300 km southeast of Pasni, and 720 km east of Muscat as of 8 30 AM IST on August 31. The department stated that the storm is expected to maintain its intensity until the morning of September 1, after which it will likely weaken into a depression by the morning of September 2. On Thursday, IMD issued a red alert for 11 districts in Gujarat and a yellow alert for 22 districts as the cyclonic storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall.
Cyclonic Storm ASNA lay over northeast & adj northwest Arabian Sea at 830hrs IST of 31Aug 360km west of Naliya 260km southwest of Karachi 300km southeast of Pasni 720km east of Muscat. Likely to maintain intensity till morning of 1Sept and weaken to depression by morning of 2Sept pic.twitter.com/j0xHliiG35
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) August 31, 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly assured Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel of central support after discussing the situation with him on Thursday. In Vadodara, flooding has occurred in low-lying areas after the Vishwamitri river burst its banks, despite the rains having stopped and urged residents to move from the places expecting an outpour in the regions. It was said that the rescue operations are in full swing shifting over 6,000 to safer places as water levels in the regions have risen across the state.
Also, read| IMD Issues Red Alert As Heavy Rainfall Grips Gujarat
However, the flooding has claimed at least 28 lives in the past three days. Rajkot, Kheda, Morbi, Bharuch, Ahmedabad, Mahisagar, Junagadh, and Anand are some of the most affected districts. Another 12 districts, Kachchh, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Morbi, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Surendranagar, Botad, Amreli, and Somnath are expected to witness extremely heavy rainfall, as per IMD. Gujarat has been experiencing rain showers over the weekend leading to waterlogged streets, infrastructural damage, and flooding. With more rainfall predicted to hit the state, the situation is expected to get worse.
Also, read| Gujarat Floods: Death Toll Rises To 28
