A damaged tree is seen in the Cuffe Parade area of Mumbai, India, June 3, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Yadong)
The cyclone Nisarga, which made landfall on India's western coast, near the financial capital Mumbai, is likely to adversely affect areas in southwestern state of Maharashtra and western state of Gujarat, as it gradually moves towards the central state of Madhya Pradesh.
NEW DELHI, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The cyclone Nisarga made landfall at Alibaug area on India's western coast, near the financial capital Mumbai, on Wednesday, as winds up to the speed of 120-140 km per hour (kmph) were reported from the area, an official at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
TV footage showed trees being uprooted, and temporary roofs flying in the air along the western coastline areas hit by the cyclone.
A fire engine is parked by a damaged tree in the Cuffe Parade area of Mumbai, India, June 3, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Yadong)
The cyclone is expected to complete the landfall in the next three hours after 13:15 p.m. local time, said the IMD official. It is likely to adversely affect areas in southwestern state of Maharashtra and western state of Gujarat, as it gradually moves towards the central state of Madhya Pradesh.
People living in low lying areas have been rehabilitated in safer places, and power supplies in many areas are likely to be affected by the cyclone.
Elaborate arrangements have been made in the affected areas, as teams of the National Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed to carry out the relief and rescue work. Indian Army and Indian Navy personnel have been kept on standby, said official sources.
Municipal workers stand by a damaged tree in the Cuffe Parade area of Mumbai, India, June 3, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Yadong)
"With the cyclonic storm Nisarga brewing in the Arabian Sea, all teams have been put on alert and are in readiness to respond to any requirement of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief during the storm period," said the Indian Navy in a statement.
This is the second successive cyclone to hit India in two weeks. Earlier, super cyclone Amphan had hit the eastern coastal areas on May 20, affecting several districts in the states of Odisha and West Bengal, leaving behind a tale of devastation.
According to media reports, cyclone Nisarga is less devastating as compared to Amphan. ■
