Many rallies called off as cyclone hits Gujarat coast

Amid the heat of the Gujarat polls, cyclone Ockhi, eddying menacingly towards the state's coast, poured cold water on the campaigning on Tuesday, forcing cancellation of rallies of several top leaders, including those by BJP chief Amit Shah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, meanwhile, appealed to BJP workers to extend a helping hand to those that would be likely hit by the cyclone, which is expected to make a landfall tonight on the state's southern coast in Surat.

After dumping rains in Mumbai, Cyclone Ockhi moved closer to Gujarat on Tuesday and the landfall was likely near Surat, as several top leaders were forced to cancel their rallies in the pollbound state which experienced showers.

The cyclonic storm passed the Mumbai coast, bringing rains but did not cause any damage to life or property, a senior civic official said.

The cyclone is approaching Gujarat steadily and now liescentred in the Arabian Sea only 390 km away from Surat, said an India Meteorological Department (IMD), official in Ahmedabad . The cyclone is expected to hit the coastline near Surat by midnight. The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall in most places with heavy rainfall at isolated placesinSaurashtraandsouth Gujarat. The BJP has also calledoffralliesandpressconferences of Rajasthan Chief MinisterVasundharaRajeand Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Surat today, a party leader said.