Cyclone Nisarga, which intensified into a severe cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea, is making landfall along India's western coast, forcing a high alert in the financial hub of Mumbai and evacuation of tens of thousands of people.
"The landfall process started and it will be completed during the next three hours. The northeast sector of the eye of the severe cyclonic storm Nisarga is entering into the land," India's meteorological department said on Wednesday.
More than 500 emergency response forces have been deployed to meet any emergencies arises due to cyclone, according to agencies.
The cyclonic storm called Nisarga follows super cyclonic storm Amphan that ravaged the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast this month on May 20. According to weather.com, the name Nisarga is suggested by Bangladesh.
This is the second cyclone that hit India in two weeks and the first such storm that hit Mumbai – the worst-hit city in India by coronavirus.
According to India Meteorological Department, cyclone Nisarga started making landfall at 11.30am on Wednesday at south of Alibag in Maharastra’s Raigad district with strong winds of 120 to 140kmph, higher than expected, making it the second severe cyclone to hit Mumbai since 1961.
The cyclone was about 500km in size when it was in the ocean and its wind speed ranged from 110 to 120 kmph.
