Cyclone Phyan which was developing in the Arabian Sea over the last two days finally fizzled out on Wednesday evening before making landfall and inflicting further serious damage.
The storm which reports attribute had a direct hand in 75 deaths in Kerala and collateral damage to hotels, resorts and other property along the Goan coast was even upgraded to a level ‘orange’, one rung below a full red alert, before dissipating over the Arabian Sea itself.
Daman hoteliers, who showed considerable calm despite government warnings of being in the direct access of cyclone Phyan were happy the danger had passed and that they could return to business as usual.
HotelierIndia.com was the only Indian hospitality portal maintaining a live update on cyclone Phyan’s progress and its effect on the hospitality businesses along the threatened coastlines of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa. The updates are presented below.
+++++
Update: Wednesday: 16:00 hrs
The India Meteorological Department has issued an ‘orange’ alert, one step below the red alert put out for a really severe cyclone.
According to weather office, Phyan is expected to hit South Gujarat and North Maharashtra by late evening (Wednesday 12).
Rains and strong winds blowing at 30-35 kmph were experienced in the coastal districts of Surat, Valsad and Bhavnagar this morning, with thick clouds in many parts of the state.
Update: Wednesday, 15:00 hrs
The advance rains from Cyclone Phyan made its mark on Goan beach resorts as the weather system passed by earlier in the day. Torrential rains were reported over the night. However, the rain has stopped and the situation is calmer now.
“Some (Luxury) tents were damaged and rooms washed out. But things are OK now,” said Alvin Fernandes of the Montego Bay Beach Village in Morjim, North Goa.
Daman, the predicted epicentre of the storm is also calm right now. For Gurukripa and Miramar, the two FHRAI registered hotels, it is business near normal.
“The weather is like a normal monsoon and we have not received any specific warnings from the government. Guests are checking in too,” said Hotel Miramar general manager, Rajdir Chajwa.
“Things are calm here and everything is under control,” said Haresh Jangal, partner at Hotel Gurukripa.
Update: Wednesday, 14:00 hrs
Cyclone Phyan is expected to intensify over the next 48 hours. The resultant rains in Mumbai have already affected air traffic there delaying flights by at least 30 to 50 minutes.
The cyclone is now 250 km south south-west of Mumbai and 500 km from Surat. It has travelled 100 km in the past six hours.
Update: Wednesday, 13:00 hrs
Landfall (When the cyclone touches land) is expected at Dahanu, 120 km North of Mumbai. The Met Dept. is predicting around 250 mm of rainfall in Mumbai.
Cyclone Phyan has put the hospitality industry across coastal Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa on high alert. The storm is not a severe threat to property as it is currently classified as Category 6 (The highest is 9) at 85 kmph. However, it will most surely disrupt business along the Western coast.
HotelierIndia.com will bring you regular updates on Cyclone Phyan as it progresses.
