Fishermen Advisory Issued Ahead of Cyclone Season in Gujarat

The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), in coordination with the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), has issued an urgent advisory for fishermen operating along Gujarat’s 1,600-kilometer coastline ahead of the 2025 cyclone season. This advisory primarily affects small-scale and artisanal fishermen based in key districts such as Porbandar, Gir Somnath, Junagadh, and Kutch, urging them to exercise heightened caution and adhere strictly to safety protocols from June through November. With the Arabian Sea prone to cyclonic disturbances during this period, the advisory aims to minimize loss of life and property by informing fishermen about timely weather updates, safe fishing practices, and emergency contacts.

What the Advisory Says

The advisory issued on June 10, 2025, by the Gujarat Maritime Board and supported by GSDMA focuses on several critical safety measures for fishermen:

• Avoid venturing into deep sea during adverse weather: Fishermen are warned against fishing or sailing when the IMD predicts cyclonic storms or strong winds above 30 km/h in the Arabian Sea.
• Stay updated with real-time weather information: Fishermen are encouraged to use mobile applications and local radio broadcasts for hourly weather updates issued by the IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre in Ahmedabad.
• Use approved fishing vessels equipped with life-saving equipment: All boats must carry life jackets, communication devices such as VHF radios, and GPS trackers as mandated by the Gujarat Maritime Board.
• Register fishing trips with local authorities: Fishermen must inform their respective Coastal Police Stations in districts like Jamnagar and Devbhumi Dwarka about their planned routes and expected return times.
• Follow port and harbor advisories: The advisory highlights that ports such as Kandla and Mundra will issue no-entry or evacuation orders when cyclones approach, which must be obeyed without exception.
• Do not overload vessels: Strict adherence to weight limits is emphasized to maintain vessel stability in rough seas.

Why This Advisory Was Issued

The advisory comes in response to the increasing frequency and intensity of cyclones in the Arabian Sea, which have directly impacted Gujarat’s fishing communities in recent years. According to the IMD, the 2024 cyclone season witnessed six cyclonic disturbances, three of which made landfall near Gujarat’s coast, causing significant damage to fishing fleets and coastal infrastructure.

Gujarat’s coastal districts like Kutch and Porbandar saw over ₹15 crore worth of damage to boats and fishing gear in the cyclone of September 2024. Additionally, at least 12 fishermen lost their lives due to sudden storm surges and inadequate preparedness. These incidents highlighted gaps in communication, vessel safety standards, and emergency response coordination.

The Gujarat government, through GSDMA and the Gujarat Maritime Board, has since prioritized enhancing early warning dissemination, upgrading boat safety regulations, and training fishermen in cyclone preparedness and rescue techniques. This advisory is part of a broader effort to safeguard livelihoods and lives amid intensifying climate risks.

What You Should Do (Step-by-Step)

Fishermen and their families are advised to follow these steps to stay safe during the cyclone season:

1. Before Going to Sea: Check the latest weather forecast from the IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre, Ahmedabad (https://mausam.imd.gov.in/) and local GSDMA alerts.
2. Ensure Vessel Preparedness: Verify that your boat has functional life jackets for every person onboard, a working VHF radio, GPS device, and sufficient fuel for the planned trip.
3. Register Your Trip: Inform your local Coastal Police Station or Fisheries Department office about your destination, estimated departure, and return time. For example, fishermen in Junagadh can contact the Junagadh Coastal Police at +91-2875-222111.
4. Avoid Fishing During Alerts: If the IMD issues a cyclone warning or red alert, postpone fishing plans and remain ashore until the all-clear is declared.
5. Stay Close to Shore: When weather conditions are uncertain but not under official warning, fish near the coast where quick return is possible.
6. Emergency Preparedness: Keep emergency kits ready, including drinking water, basic first aid supplies, and means to signal for help.
7. Follow Port Orders: Comply immediately with any evacuation or no-entry orders from major ports such as Kandla, Mundra, and Veraval.
8. Post-Trip Actions: Report safely returning from fishing expeditions to authorities to assist in accounting for all fishermen.

Fishermen are also encouraged to enroll in government training programs on cyclone safety and boat handling offered by the Gujarat Fisheries Department and NGOs in coastal districts.

Whom to Contact in an Emergency

In case of emergencies related to cyclones or maritime distress, fishermen should contact the following numbers immediately:

• Coastal Police Stations: Jamnagar Coastal Police: +91-288-2520900, Porbandar Coastal Police: +91-281-2521055
• Gujarat Maritime Board Helpline: +91-79-23234300 (24/7)
• Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) Control Room: +91-79-23239200
• Indian Coast Guard (Regional HQ, Mumbai): +91-22-27572111
• National Emergency Number: 112

Fishermen should keep these numbers saved on their mobile phones and maintain VHF radio communication with coastal authorities during their fishing expeditions.

Historical Context

Gujarat’s coastline has faced numerous cyclones in the past decade, with notable incidents shaping current preparedness measures:

• Cyclone Vayu (June 2019): This cyclone, with wind speeds exceeding 140 km/h, forced mass evacuations in districts such as Devbhumi Dwarka and Gir Somnath. Although the cyclone veered away before landfall, it caused significant disruption to fishing activities and port operations.
• Cyclone Tauktae (May 2021): One of the strongest cyclones to hit Gujarat in recent years, Tauktae caused widespread damage to fishing vessels and coastal infrastructure in districts like Kutch and Jamnagar. The storm led to the loss of 15 fishermen and over ₹30 crore in damages.
• Cyclone Biparjoy (June 2023): This cyclone hit the Kutch coast, resulting in severe storm surges and flooding. The Gujarat government responded with rapid relief distribution and upgraded early warning systems based on lessons learned.

These events have prompted investments in infrastructure such as cyclone shelters, improved meteorological forecasting, and community training programs, all coordinated by the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority in collaboration with local fisheries departments.

For farmers and fishermen alike, staying informed about weather patterns is crucial. Gujarat’s agricultural sector can also face disruptions during the monsoon and cyclone season; readers are encouraged to consult the Monsoon 2025 Forecast for Gujarat Farmers for crop planning and risk mitigation.

To access government subsidies and support schemes related to fisheries and agriculture, visit the Ikhedut 2.0 Portal — subsidies for farmers.{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “NewsArticle”, “headline”: “Fishermen Advisory Issued Ahead of Cyclone Season in Gujarat”, “url”: “https://news.gujarat.in/fishermen-advisory-issued-ahead-of-cyclone-season-in-gujarat/”, “datePublished”: “2026-02-28”, “publisher”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “Gujarat News”, “url”: “https://news.gujarat.in” }, “articleSection”: “Agriculture” }