Cyclone Nilofer expected to hit Gujarat coast

Gujarat Meteorological Department Director Manorama Mohanty on Monday warned of an approaching cyclone off the coast of the state, which has been denoted the name 'Nilofer'.

"The Cyclone Nilofer has been intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and it is situated around 1,180 kilometres southwest of Gujarat. It is expected to initially move northwards and then take a recurve and move in a northeast direction and cross North Gujarat, adjoining Pakistan coast around Naliya town by the morning of October 31," Mohanty told ANI here.

Mohanty assured that cyclone alerts have been sent out to all state and port officials in the state and stated that Nilofer will bring with it heavy rainfall and rough seas.

"Under the influence of the cyclone, we are expecting bad weather on October 30 and 31 and heavy rains over Saurashtra and Kutch. The sea will be rough to very rough, and for that reason, cyclone alerts have been given to state government officials and distance warnings have been given to all the ports in Gujarat. All fishermen have been advised to come away from the sea," she said.

Cyclone Nilofer is the second large cyclonic storm to approach the Indian island this month, after Cyclone Hudhud struck the coast of Andhra Pradesh on October 12.