Nilofar: Cabinet Secretary reviews preparedness

The Cabinet Secretary, in a video conference with the Gujarat Chief Secretary, took stock of the various steps to meet any challenge arising out of the cyclone.

"The NCMC also reviewed the preparedness with the concerned Central Ministries/Departments and representatives of the State Government present at the meeting. The Centre is fully geared up to provide necessary assistance to the State Government whenever and wherever required," read an official statement.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said the cyclone 'Nilofar' has intensified into a "severe cyclonic storm" and will bring heavy rainfall in coastal Saurashtra and Kutch region of Gujarat on Oct 30 and 31.

"The very severe cyclonic storm, ‘NILOFAR’ over westcentral Arabian Sea remained practically stationary, and lay centred at 1430 hours IST of 27 th October, 2014 near latitude 14.9 0 N and longitude 62.0 0 E, about 1170 km southwest of Naliya (Gujarat), 1230 km south-southwest of Karachi (Pakistan) and 880 km east-southeast of Salalah (Oman)," the IMD said in a statement.

"It would move initially north-northwestwards during next 24 hrs and then recurve northeastwards and cross north Gujarat and adjoining Pakistan coast around Naliya by 31st October morning. However, as the system would come closer to Gujarat coast, it would weaken and cross the coast as a severe cyclonic storm," the statement said.

The intensity of the cyclone would increase gradually with heavy to very heavy rain fall at a few places from Oct 30 night.