After Delhi smog problem, cyclonic storm Maha clouds Rajkot T20I
The T20I series between India and Bangladesh seems to be bothered by environmental issues. The first T20I on Sunday was marred by the Delhi air pollution. And now the second match in Rajkot could potentially be derailed by a cyclone in Gujarat. The cyclone is expected to bring heavy rainfall across the state. Here are more details.
Severe cyclonic storm Maha is likely to make landfall along the Gujarat coast on the night of November 6. It is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rains till the next day, according to the India Meteorological Department. The second T20I between the two nations is scheduled for Thursday, November 7. It is predicted that the cyclonic storm could arrive between Wednesday or Thursday.
"Severe cyclonic storm Maha lay centered at 580 kilometres southwest of Diu and 550 kms southwest of Veraval. It is most likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and make landfall between Dwarka and Diu on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning with wind speeds of 120 kilometres per hour," regional IMD director Jayanta Sarkar told PTI.
As the time for #CycloneMaha crossing #Gujarat Coast nears, the rainfall activities will increase in #Rajasthan and by November 6, we expect rain belt to cover the entire state.https://t.co/cuWx1R0bgf
— SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) November 5, 2019
Meanwhile, the Saurashtra Cricket Association has made the necessary arrangements to ensure the ground is not affected and the match goes ahead as planned. "We have covered the ground to make sure the match can start on time in case the rain does disrupt," Jaydev Shah, head of the SCA, told ESPNcricinfo. One could see a lot of rainfall on offer.
•Press briefing
— Saurashtra Cricket (@saucricket) November 5, 2019
With warning from Meteorological Department for cyclone #Maha at Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium we're all set and prepared for any chances of rain and other security matters. As of now we're blessed to have clear and sunny sky. @BCCI @BCBtigers #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/ujWeCjUTz1
Earlier, there were concerns regarding the first match in Delhi as visibility dipped to a record low in the national capital. Thick smog engulfed Delhi on Sunday morning taking the Air Quality Index (AQI) into hazardous category. There were doubts regarding the game but it went ahead. Bangladesh sealed a crucial win to beat Team India and take a 1-0 lead.
