Cyclone Nisarga shows signs of weakening

Mumbai: After storming the Maharashtra coast with wind speeds of up to 120 kmph on Wednesday afternoon, Cyclone Nisarga has started weakening and its intensity will reduce further by evening, the India Meteorological Department said.

The landfall of the cyclone began at 12.30 PM at Alibaug and the process was completed by 2.30 PM, IMD director general Mrutunjay Mohapatra said. The storm lay 75 kilometres southeast of Mumbai and 65 kilometres west of Pune.

It has started weakening. The wind speed is currently 90-100 kilometres per hour and the intensity will reduce further by evening, he said.

No damage has been reported from the financial capital where movement of people is restricted in public places like beaches, parks and promenades along the coastline till tomorrow afternoon. Flight operations have been suspended at the city’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport till 7 pm.

Several low-lying areas in Maharashtra’s Pune remained inundated due to rains brought in by cyclone ‘Nisarga’ since Tuesday night. Incidents of trees falling due to gusty winds have also been reported at some places in the city.

A senior official from district disaster management cell said that sporadic incidents like trees felling and damage to houses and power disruptions were reported from some places.