Cyclone Biparjoy is currently en route to the coasts of Saurashtra and Kutch and is around 180 km away from Jakhau port, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which released this information on Thursday morning. Director General of the India Meteorological Department, Mrityunjay Mohapatra, gave an update on the movement of Cyclone Biparjoy in the Arabian Sea. “This morning Cyclone Biparjoy is moving north-northeastwards towards Saurashtra and Kutch coast and is around 180 km away from Jakhau port. It is currently centred on the northeast Arabian Sea. The wind speed is 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph. By the evening, it will reach the coast and hit the Saurashtra-Kutch coast near Jakhau port and the Pakistan coast. The predicted wind speed is 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph, a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm”, said the IMD Director General.
He also explained that the cyclone had weakened from an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm to a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm in line with the predictions, and the wind speeds had reduced marginally at the cyclone’s centre. However, he reiterated that Biparjoy is a severe storm. Ahead of Cyclone Biparjoy’s landfall, India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday said that the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) can cause severe damage to small structures like thatched houses and uproot trees.
High tidal waves and heavy rainfalls are also expected in the coastal districts of Gujarat.
Warning the public about the effects of Cyclone Biparjoy, he said, “The cyclone brings damaging potential; trees and branches can fall, and small structures like thatched houses, slums, mud houses, tin houses or houses with asbestos can suffer severe damage. Along with this, tidal waves and heavy rainfalls are also likely in the coastal districts.”
He explained that coastal districts like Porbandar and Dwarka would have high wind speeds, Very Heavy to Extremely Heavy rainfall, and high tides would be seen on the Gujarat coasts.
“Tidal waves as high as 2-3 m are extremely likely on the Kutch coast”, he added.
On Wednesday, IMD issued a Red Message alert for the Saurashtra and Katch coasts of Gujarat, warning the people about extreme weather conditions expected in the concerned districts.
“VSCS Biparjoy over Northeast Arabian Sea at 0530 hours IST of 15th June, 2023 about 180km west-southwest of Jakhau Port (Gujarat). To cross Saurashtra & Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi and Karachi near Jakhau Port by evening of 15th June as a VSVS”, tweeted IMD.
In addition to this, ahead of the cyclone, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were deployed in Gujarat on Wednesday. The teams are working in order to safely evacuate people and animals out of low-lying coastal areas and to prepare other protective measures for the incoming storm.
“NDRF and SDRF have been deployed in Kachchh’s Mandvi and Naliya town which is likely to be affected as Cyclone Biparjoy is getting closer”, said Naliya Police Sub-Inspector VR Ulva. The Indian Army is also ready to help the afflicted areas and people by supplying them with materials. The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Indian Coast Guard are all ready to help the residents of Gujarat who have been impacted by the cyclone, according to Wing Commander N Manish, the Defence PRO & Spokesperson MoD for Gujarat.
“The Indian Army has set up more than 27 relief columns at forward areas in Mandvi and Dwarka as well as throughout Gujarat. Along with the civil administration and the NDRF forces, army officials have also started relief operations, the official said.