C. P. Patel, the District Magistrate (Collector) of Gir Somnath District, on Wednesday, requested tourists to return home, and also confirmed that fishermen have been called back from sea, as Cyclone Nilofar is expected to strike the west coast of Gujarat in a couple of days.
"We have collected items like diesel, petrol and grains ahead of the landfall of the cyclone so that it can be reached to people if a crisis arises. The government has also stocked items and we have deputed officers to take people of the 38 villages, which are on high alert, to safe shelters," said Patel.
The Gujarat administration is preparing to face Cyclone Nilofar and has issued an advisory to various authorities to remain alert.
Hectic and intense disaster-mitigation preparations were underway on Tuesday as Cyclone Nilofar, which originated in the Arabian Sea, is likely to make a landfall in Gir Somnath District, while around 38 villages have been put on high alert.
Three State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) platoon have also been deployed at those areas.
Nilofar, classified as a 'very severe cyclonic storm', is expected to weaken to a 'cyclonic storm' when it makes landfall on the northern Gujarat coast, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
Official leaves have been cancelled to handle the situation and plans have been made to evacuate people to safer areas.
Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were also deployed in some places as authorities intensified relief and rescue arrangements as precautionary measures to handle the cyclonic storm.
Meanwhile, around 40-50 families have migrated from the villages of Kutch. Authorities held meeting with residents staying near the port areas and informed them of measures to tackle the storm.
Earlier this month, Cyclone Hudhud slammed into the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, tearing down tens of thousands of mud-and-thatch homes, and flattening rice, banana and sugarcane plantations.
The death toll from Hudhud a fortnight ago was put at 41, as authorities still struggle to restore power, transport and communication links and shelter 150,000 people forced to abandon their homes.
