The cyclone alert along the Gujarat coastline has been withdrawn following it going into a deep depression, officials said on Sunday.The cyclone alert has been completely withdrawn, after it has weakened into a deep depression. It is stationary at 280 km south-west off the coast, said state meteorological director J M Motwal.

“Now, the possibility of strong winds accompanied by rains is likely at Kutch and Porbandar coast,” Motwal said.

Nearly 12,000 people from Kutch and Porbandar districts, including employees of three major ports, were shifted to safer grounds, on Saturday night as the cyclone was likely to hit Nalia (in Kutch) early on Sunday morning, officials said.

“However, the weather over Kutch region has cleared. The situation in Kandla (in Kutch) has improved as the cyclone has weakened and moved ahead,” officials said.

Port officials said if the situation remained clear then the port functioning that was suspended since Saturday noon could be resumed soon. The meteorological department and state authorities have alerted the fishermen from going to the sea.

Courtesy - Mumbai Mirror, India