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Rajasthan braces itself for cyclone

The Rajasthan government has put its entire administrative machinery on alert to prevent loss of lives and property from a cyclonic storm expected to hit the state by Wednesday morning or afternoon.

Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has been constantly reviewing the situation and the pre-emptive measures taken by the state administration in the past two days. He held a meeting today with his cabinet colleagues and senior state government officials in this regard. Deputy Chief Minister Hari Shankar Bhabhra, several other members of the council of ministers, Chief Secretary Arun Kumar, Relief Secretary V S Singh and other officials attended the meeting.

Shekhawat also held a similar meeting yesterday and issued necessary directives to the officials concerned.

Meanwhile, a weather office spokesperson said the cyclone, of a very severe nature, lay centred 400 km southwest of Veraval, Gujarat, this morning, and was likely to intensify and move in a northern direction for some time.

It would later turn north-northeast, cross the Gujarat coast between Veraval and Dwarka by tomorrow morning or afternoon and could reach Rajasthan by Wednesday morning or afternoon.

Under its influence, gales with wind speeds of 100 kph to 125 kph were expected this afternoon along the Gujarat coast and heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur in the coastal districts of Gujarat this evening.

The collectors of all the districts were maintaining a strict vigil. A flood control room has been set up in the state irrigation department and the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary been put on alert in Bharatpur, Jaipur and Jodhpur districts to assist the administration in relief operations necessary.

UNI

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