Cyclone Phyan by-passes Mumbai; to be weaken in six hours
merisarkar news service
New Delhi, November 11, 2009
The cyclone Phyan has bypassed Mumbai and is said to be losing its intensity. The cyclone crossed India's western coast between Mumbai and Alibuag around 3.30 to 4.30 pm India time and is heading in the north and north east direction.
Govt has ordered the closure of all the offices and schools in Mumbai as a precautionary measure. A senior BMC Official said that there is no need to panic and the government has already evacuated close to one lakh people from low lying coastal areas.
The Met office has advised the Konkan region to be on alert for the next 12 hours. High winds and heavy rains are forecast for the city. Fishermen are still advised to refrain from venturing into the seas for the next 12 hours.
Meanwhile, the cyclone alert in Gujarat has been lowered to a warning and will be removed once the cyclone weakens further. According to the MET department, although the cyclone is said to be fizzling out, the coastline will remain on alert until further weakening in the cyclonic weather conditions.
Reports say that about 50 fishing trawlers are still stranded in the Arabian sea of the Daman coast.
