Cyclone Biparjoy Set to Reach Land Soon, 74,000 People Evacuated: Key Details

New Delhi: Ahead of the anticipated landfall of cyclone Biparjoy in the Kutch district this evening, approximately 74,000 individuals have been relocated to shelters in Gujarat’s coastal area. Red and Orange alerts have been issued in various districts of the state.

Here’s a concise summary of the key points related to this significant story:

1. Currently, cyclone Biparjoy is within a distance of 200 km from the Gujarat coast. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), it is expected to traverse through Saurashtra, Kutch, and the adjacent coasts of Pakistan, specifically between Mandvi and Karachi near Jakhau Port, between 4-8 PM.

2. Biparjoy, classified as a category 3 “very severe cyclonic storm,” is projected to have a maximum wind speed of 115-125 kmph, according to the authorities. They also noted that the wind speed is expected to increase during the afternoon.

3. According to the latest update from IMD, as of 0230 hours IST on June 15, 2023, the “VSCS Biparjoy” was located approximately 200 km west-southwest of Jakhau Port in Gujarat, over the Northeast Arabian Sea. The cyclone is expected to traverse through Saurashtra, Kutch, and the adjacent coasts of Pakistan, specifically between Mandvi and Karachi near Jakhau Port, by the evening of June 15, classified as a “VSVS” (Very Severe Very Severe Cyclonic Storm).

4. As cyclone Biparjoy draws nearer to the coast, the meteorological department has stated that the rainfall intensity will rise, particularly in isolated areas of Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, and Jamnagar districts, where extremely heavy rainfall is expected. The local administration has taken measures to relocate residents from approximately 120 villages situated within a range of zero to 10 km from the seashore in the Kutch district.

5. Today, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel led a meeting at the State Emergency Operation Center in Gandhinagar to assess the state’s readiness for the cyclone. According to the government, a total of 74,345 individuals have been relocated to temporary shelters across eight coastal districts, namely Kutch, Jamnagar, Morbi, Rajkot, Devbhumi Dwarka, Junagadh, Porbandar, and Gir Somnath.

6. Various coastal districts have seen the deployment of a total of 18 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, 12 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, 115 teams from the state road and building department, and 397 teams from the state electricity department.

7. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Indian Coast Guard, collectively known as the armed forces, have made adequate preparations to offer assistance to the residents of Gujarat.

8. In light of the approaching cyclone, fishing operations have been halted until tomorrow (June 16). Ports have been closed, and ships are currently at anchor as the sea has become turbulent and the weather has deteriorated, characterized by intense rainfall and powerful winds in the area.

9. As a precautionary measure to ensure passenger safety and the smooth operation of trains, the Western Railway has announced the cancellation of 76 trains. Additionally, in another statement, it was mentioned that the well-known Dwarkadhish Temple in Devbhumi Dwarka and the Somnath Temple in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat will remain closed to devotees on Thursday.

10. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that during the landfall, low-lying areas of the affected districts may experience a storm surge approximately 2-3 meters higher than the normal tide level. In certain locations, tides could even reach heights of 3-6 meters, as reported by the IMD. If it occurs, this will be the second cyclone to impact the state within a span of two years, following ‘Tauktae’ in May 2021.