Oil firms warned of Ockhi cyclone

Mumbai: The Coast Guards’ west region office in Mumbai has issued advisories to ‘oil handling agencies’ in offshore development areas to initiate cyclone contingency measures and initiate necessary evacuation of personnel from oil platforms with cyclone Ockhi likely to make a landfall close to north Maharashtra.

Coast Guards officials stated that the landfall would be near the Gulf of Khambat in Gujarat, which would also affect the climate in Mumbai and surrounding areas.

The coastal belt will witness rains and gusty winds during next two days and hence the alert has been sounded.

“We have started disseminating adequate precautionary advisories to state authorities of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and union territory of Daman and Diu for the likelihood of re-curving of the cyclone and making landfall along south Gujarat coast near Gulf of Khambat. The oil rigs in offshore development areas have also been advised to initiate cyclone contingency measures and initiate necessary evacuation of personnel from oil platforms well in time,” stated a release from the Coast Guards.

In addition, Coast Guard stations along the west coast are interacting with fishermen and are assisting them with first aid and food as required.

The fishermen are being counselled to remain inside harbour and not to venture out at sea till the system dissipates.

The data of fishermen in shelter areas is being shared with concerned state fisheries department and other state authorities.