Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray appealed to the people of Mumbai on Tuesday to ‘Stay indoors’ for two days. He said that as per the information of the IMD the cyclone Nisarga has been forecast to make landfall in the Maharashtra coast on Wednesday.

Uddhav Thackeray asked the residents of Mumbai to be prepared to face possible power cuts as strong winds hit the city. He asked them to charge their gadgets and if possible, keep emergency lights handy. “The cyclone could be more severe than the ones the state has faced till now… Tomorrow and the day after are crucial in coastal areas… Activities which had resumed (as part of easing of lockdown) will be kept shut there for the next two days, people should remain alert,” he said.

The IMD said Nisarga is likely to intensify into a “severe cyclonic storm” with heavy rainfall and wind speeds in excess of 100 km per hour over the next 12 hours. Over 10,000 people, including some Covid- 19 patients, have been moved to safer locations. Mumbai has over 41,000 Covid- 19 cases. Its suburbs and neighbouring Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg have been placed on high alert due to the incoming cyclone, said CM.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured to the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Gujarat and the administrator of Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli through over phone centre will support the cyclone hit states and UTs.

Mumbai airport in a statement said it has kept electric generators ready to provide uninterrupted power and water pumps have been installed across the airport to prevent flooding, the airport authorities announced they are operating only 19 flights due to the weather conditions, 11 are departed 8 are arrival. The airport said food and beverage counters will stay open 24×7 at the airport for convenience of passengers.