Cyclone Gaja effect: Wind speed increases fourfold in Bengaluru

TNN

November 17, 2018

Bengaluru, Nov 17: Gaja, the cyclonic storm that has swept parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, has had its impact on Bengaluru too. Wind speeds in the city increased by four times the daily average for 24 hours between Thursday morning and Friday. This has caused concern among commuters, especially those who drive on elevated roads in the city.

Bengaluru, on average, experiences a wind speed of about 4-6kmph. But between 9.25am on Thursday and the same time on Friday, the weatherman said the speed averaged at 16kmph. In fact, the highest speed recorded during the said time was 32kmph, which is about eight times the daily average.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) centre in Bengaluru, the wind speed varied between 16kmph and 20kmph.

IMD Bengaluru director CS Patil explained, “Wind speed in the city increased because of Gaja, which caused the pressure to fall in the areas it passed through and surroundings.”

While people commuting at the surface level did not notice the change given that buildings and other structures offset the speed, those who used elevated roads and flyovers — like on Mysuru Road — faced the strong wind. Motorists heading from Sirsi Circle said the wind was travelling in the opposite direction, which reduced the pace of the vehicles. They even complained of their vehicles drifting from one side of the road to another.

Urging people not to panic, Patil said only wind speed above 50kmph could cause any serious concern. “Only when the speed crosses 62kmph do we call it a cyclonic storm,” he said.

BBMP and police officials said no untoward incidents were reported due to the cyclone’s effect in the city, barring one case of a tree falling in RT Nagar, north Bengaluru, early Friday.

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PM Modi vows to strengthen India-Maldives ties, inks currency swap deal with President Muizzu

News Network

October 7,2024

New Delhi: Seeking to strengthen bilateral ties, India and the Maldives on Monday inked a currency swap agreement to the tune of $400 million, a move that would help the archipelago nation overcome foreign exchange reserve issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu also launched Rupay card in the Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo International airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations that had hit a rocky patch last year.

Muizzu, who is on a four-day state visit, held talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House here.

After the talks, India also handed over 700 social housing units to the Maldives built under the EXIM Bank’s buyer’s credit facilities.

"Today, we have inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo Airport. Now, the Greater Male Connectivity Project will also be expedited. We will also support the development of a new commercial port in Thilafushi," Modi told reporters here with Muizzu by his side.

Modi said India and Maldives have decided to initiate discussion on the Free Trade Agreement to further strengthen economic ties.

The prime minister described Maldives as a "close friend" which had an important position in India's neighbourhood policy and SAGAR vision.

"India has always fulfilled the responsibilities of a neighbour. Today, we have taken up the vision of a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership to give our mutual cooperation a strategic direction," Modi said.

Earlier, Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Modi was also present on the occasion.

Muizzu was given a tri-services guard of honour before he drove down the Rajghat to offer his respects at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November.

Muizzu won the presidential election last year on the 'India out' campaign and asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel posted in the archipelago nation by May this year.

The bilateral ties also hit a rocky patch when Maldivian ministers were critical of Modi. However, Muizzu has since toned down his anti-India stance and even sacked ministers who were critical of the Indian prime minister.

As the Maldives was grappling with a serious economic downturn, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year.

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