Mumbai, Nov 11 With the cyclonic storm 'Phyan' menacingly approaching north Maharashtra and south Gujarat, the Maharashtra government has asked all the educational institutions and offices to close down by this afternoon.

"All schools and offices have been advised to close down for the day in view of the inclement weather that is likely to worsen," said BMC Additional Commissioner A Maheshkar.

While schools have been asked to shut down at 1 pm, offices have been advised to close by 2 pm, Maheshkar said after a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Johny Joseph at Mantralaya.

The BMC said it was arranging for buses at the Chhatrapati Shivaji and Churchgate terminus to ferry people back home, she added.

All the twenty-four control rooms of the BMC have been activated, she said, adding that many trees maybe uprooted as the city and its adjoining areas were expected to experience high-speed winds reaching upto 90 Kms per hour.

The machinery has been geared up to promptly clear the streets of the trees and people have been cautioned against taking shelter under them.

The BMC Additional Commissioner said that no decision had been taken yet, whether the educational institutions and offices would remain closed even on Thursday.

She also confirmed that flights out of Mumbai and railway services have been affected. Some flights and trains have been cancelled, she added.

She said that the BMC has issued a notice to the general public to stay at home till the cyclone is over. (ANI)