Tropical Cyclone Vayu: Huge cyclone threatens millions in India

Millions of people are in the firing line of a huge cyclone that is expected to strengthen into the most powerful system in 20 years.

Indian authorities are warning a powerful cyclone that could cause widespread devastation is approaching the country’s northwestern coastline.

Tropical Cyclone Vayu, which formed on Monday, is expected to grow in strength over the next 36 hours.

A huge cyclone is bearing down on India. Picture: Ryan Maue/Twitter

India Meteorological Department warned the cyclone was “very likely” to move west of Mumbai and then northwards to cross the Gujarat coast.

Extremely heavy rains are expected across coastal India and Pakistan.

Maximum wind speeds could exceed 167km/h.

The estimated population in the firing line is 6.6 million people.

Weather service Windy estimated Vayu would have a “huge impact” on India.

Tropical #CycloneVAYU: Next 3 days #wind gusts and rain/thunder forecast, the latest #ECMWF & #GFS forecast models runs 🌀 Get the latest updates on Vayu at https://t.co/a1SggXUPId pic.twitter.com/L8bGJP8Y0Y

— Windy (@windyforecast) June 11, 2019

The cyclone approaches India. Picture: Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command

It’s considered rare for tropical cyclones to make it this far north into the Arabian Sea.

It’s expected to be the strongest storm to hit the region since 1998.

India’s air force has mobilised, sending a C017 aircraft from New Delhi to Vijayawada to fly 160 personnel to help affected regions.

It comes only a month after the powerful Tropical Cyclone Fani smashed into the country’s northeastern coastline.

#CycloneVayu : Today a C-17 aircraft of #IAF got airborne from New Delhi to Vijayawada. The aircraft is planned to airlift about 160 personnel of NDRF from Vijayawada to Jamnagar to carry out the #HADR missions for the people affected by the cyclone in Gujarat. #SavingLives pic.twitter.com/V9Z2KuKJ6r

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 11, 2019

HEATWAVE

A deadly heatwave affected large parts of India last week.

Temperatures passed 50 degrees Celsius in northern India as an unrelenting heatwave triggered warnings of water shortages and heat stroke.

A major heatwave hits India. Picture: Windy TV

The thermometer hit 50.6 degrees Celsius in the Rajasthan desert city of Churu, the weather department said.

All of Rajasthan suffered in severe heat, with several cities hitting maximum temperatures above 47 Celsius.

About 200 million people live in northern India.