CYCLONE ALERT (November 12, 2009) Cyclone Phyan weakens into depression after crossing coast Dated: 12. 11. 2009; Time of issue: 0815 hours IST Sphere India Secretariat Page 1 Heavy rain to hit states on Thursday The cyclonic depression formed in the Arabian Sea would result into heavy rainfall in southern Gujarat, northern Maharashtra and nearby regions of Madhya Pradesh on Thursday early morning. This cyclonic formulation named ‘Phyan’ is expected to move north-eastwards and cross coast between southern Gujarat and Thane district (Maharashtra) and move through Mahuva and Dahanu in the early hours of November 12, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday. There will be good rain especially in Maharashtra in the next 24 hours and heavy showers would be seen along the coastal belt of Alibaug and Mumbai. There are no signs of the rain subsiding in the next 24 hours. The Cyclonic Storm, Phyan moved NorthEastwards and crossed Maharashtra Coast between Alibagh and Mumbai. Latest observations indicate that deep depression over north Madhya Maharashtra weaken into a depression and remained practically stationary and lay centred at 2330 hrs IST of 11th November, 2009 close to Nasik. It is likely to move northeastwards and weaken gradually. Under its influence, rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls is likely over Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathawada during next 12 hours and over Madhya Pradesh during next 24 hours. Rainfall at many places with isolated heavy falls is also likely over Gujarat Region during next 12 hours. Squally winds, speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph are likely along and off north Maharashtra and adjoining south Gujarat coasts during next 12 hours. Sea condition will be rough along and off these coasts. Fishermen are advised not to venture into Sea along and off these coasts during next 12 hours. Sphere India Secretariat Page 2 Observed and Forecast track Sphere India Secretariat Page 3 Heavy rainfall may dent export of major crops The heavy and incessant rain that has hit Maharashtra and Gujarat over the last three days, is all set to dent the export of cash crops such as grapes, pomegranates, alphonso mangoes and cashewnuts. Output of other crucial crops such as rice, sugarcane and cotton is also expected to suffer in Konkan, northern and western Maharashtra and southern Gujarat. Due to the heavy rain that has lashed Sangli, Solpaur, Satara, Pune and Nashik districts, the output of export quality pomegranates might see a sharp fall this year, officials of the state agriculture department told Business Standard. “The pomegranate production in Sangli, Solapur and Nashik districts alone will see a decline of almost 50 per cent as ripe fruits have been hit due to the unexpected rainfall,” sources said. Maharashtra cultivates export-quality grapes on approximately 45,000 hectares while pomegranates are cultivated on one lakh hectare. “The rain has damaged crops in larger belt of Maharashtra and southern Gujarat. All this will be reflected in the final output by the end of the season,” another official stated. Officials at the College of Agriculture believe, other prominent crops such as alphonso mangoes, cashewnuts and cotton too would be damaged. “Rice and cashewnuts have been affected in the Konkan belt and the coastal belt of Gujarat while cotton production has been affected in the north Maharashtra region. Even, the export potential of alphonso mangoes might see a drop in the coming season,” the official stated. Vaigai dam nears danger mark; second flood warning issued A second flood warning was issued on Thursday to people living along the banks of Vaigai river in five southern districts of Tamil Nadu as the wate r level in the Vaigai Dam touched 68.50 feet against its ma ximum of 71 feet. Officials, quoting readings taken this morning, said the inflow into the dam was 2,285 cusecs and the discharge 1,260 cusecs though monsoon rains had abated in catchment areas. The second flood warning asked people living along the banks of the river in Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts to move to safer places. The first alert was issued on November 9 when the water level touched the 65 feet mark. The Periyar Dam water level stood at 132.90 feet against its maximum of 136 feet with an inflow 2,649 cusecs and an outflow of 1,418 cusecs. Various parts of Tamil Nadu have been receiving heavy rains since the past week under the influence of the North East mo nsoon. Sphere India Secretariat Page 4 Madurai received 64 mm of rainfall last night. At least 15 fishermen and eight boats are reported missing since Tuesday along the Karnataka coast in “very rough” sea. Two boats from Mangalore coast, one from Kundapur and five boats had that left from different fishing harbours located between Netrani and Karwar were missing. A ship of the Coast Guard left Kochi on Wednesday morning on a search mission, A trawl boat with six fishermen onboard that went into the sea from the Mangalore harbour six days ago was also missing. Meanwhile, the Secretary for Disaster Management, Government of Karnataka, has said, quoting Meteorological Department authorities, that winds with speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph are likely along the Karnataka coast during the next 48 hours. Sphere India Secretariat Page 5 Damaged Seven houses, a school building and some boats were damaged in heavy rain accompanied by strong winds in Kundapur taluk of Udupi district on Wednesday. According to the Kundapur Taluk Office, St. Pius English Medium High School building was partially damaged in Hangalur village and the loss was estimated at Rs. 70,000. Houses of Maxim D’Silva and Margaret Kotha were partially damaged in the village. Houses of Krishna Poojary and Mathias D’Mello were partially damaged at Koteshwar village. The damage to each house has been estimated at Rs. 5,000. A house each was damaged in Hombady-Mandady, Gujjadi and Hosangady villages. The house of Shekhar Koraga was damaged at Hombady-Ma ndady village and the loss was estimated at Rs. 20,000. The house of Shivaram Shetty was partially damaged in Gujjadi village and the loss was estimated at Rs. 15,000, while the house of Baby Kulalti was damaged in Hosangady village and the loss was estimated at Rs. 10,000. Village accountants and revenue inspectors had been instructed to be prepared to face any situation arising out rain and strong winds in Kundapur taluk. Deputy Commissioner P. Hemalatha told The Hindu that some boats had been damaged at Uppunda. The loss is being assessed. Some fishermen from Udupi district, who had gone fishing and were reported to be missing, had been traced in Uttara Kannada district, she said. Rainfall According to the Control Room at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Udupi received a rainfall of 34 mm in 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday. The rainfall in Kundapur and Karkala was 32 mm and 37.02 mm respectively. A team of Ministers deputed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to visit the rain- ravaged parts of the hilly Nilgiris district today apprised him of the relief work being undertaken there. Around 40 deaths were reported in the district, most of them caused by landslips, even as relief workers are reportedly searching for more missing persons. The team of Ministers led by Agriculture Minister, Veerapandi S. Arumugam, besides Rural Industries Minister, Pongalur Palanichamy, and local MP and Union IT Minister A. Raja, met Mr. Karunanidhi and updated him on the relief work and the ground situation there, an official release said. Udhagamandalam, a famous hill resort town, in the district has remained cut off from other parts after heavy rains and landslips damaged the roads while the services of Nilgiri Mountain Rail (NMR) had been cancelled till further notice. Sphere India Secretariat Page 6 Bearing the brunt of the North East monsoon, the district witnessed the maximum number of deaths in the state in the past week, most of them caused by landslips. Personnel from various agencies including the Fire and Rescue Services and the State’s Special Task Force are involved in rescue work in the district A team of Ministers deputed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to visit the rain- ravaged parts of the hilly Nilgiris district today apprised him of the relief work being undertaken there. Around 40 deaths were reported in the district, most of them caused by landslips, even as relief workers are reportedly searching for more missing persons. The team of Ministers led by Agriculture Minister, Veerapandi S. Arumugam, besides Rural Industries Minister, Pongalur Palanichamy, and local MP and Union IT Minister A. Raja, met Mr. Karunanidhi and updated him on the relief work and the ground situation there, an official release said. They had toured the district early this week to take stock of the situation. Udhagamandalam, a famous hill resort town, in the district has remained cut off from other parts after heavy rains and landslips damaged the roads while the services of Nilgiri Mountain Rail (NMR) had been cancelled till further notice. Bearing the brunt of the North East monsoon, the district witnessed the maximum number of deaths in the state in the past week, most of them caused by landslips. Personnel from various agencies including the Fire and Rescue Services and the State’s Special Task Force are involved in rescue work in the district SOURCES Indian Meteorological Department www.imd.gov.in Business Standards http://www.business‐standard.com/india/news/heavy‐rainfall‐may‐dent‐exportmajor‐crops/376122/ Sphere India Secretariat Page 7 The Hindu http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/article47193.ece http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/article47171.ece IMPORTANT CONTACTS Sl no.