Severe Cyclonic storm 'Phyan' crossed the north Maharashtra coast this evening sparing Mumbai and South Gujarat. The cyclonic system has, however, moved north-eastwards. According to Met Department the cyclone is expected to weaken in the next few hours. The Met Department has withdrawn the warning from Gujarat and Goa. It has however alerted central Maharashtra and south Gujarat on the possibility of heavy rainfall. Our Ahmedabad Correspondent reports that most of the fishing boats that ventured into sea have been reported safe and some of them have already returned safely.<br/><br/>Mumbai was also all geared up today to tackle the threat from cyclone Phyan but mercifully the Mumbai city was spared. The cyclone crossed land at Alibaug in Raigad district 100 km away from Mumbai.<br/><br/>The Centre put the National Disaster Response Force, NDRF battalions on alert in Gujarat and Maharashtra in the wake of the heavy rains caused by the Cyclonic depression. In addition, the NDRF teams comprising 400 trained personnel with boats and other equipments were pre-positioned in Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Another 200 personnel were kept in readiness for Mumbai. The Ministry of Defence had also been alerted.