Cyclone Biparjoy: As per the latest information from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to make landfall on Thursday evening as an extremely severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of up to 150 kmph. The landfall is projected to occur between Mandvi in Kutch and Karachi in Pakistan, near Jakhau Port. Prior to the potential impact of the powerful cyclone near Jakhau port, authorities have taken preemptive measures and successfully evacuated approximately 50,000 individuals from the coastal regions of Gujarat. These individuals have been relocated to temporary shelter camps.
On Wednesday, Saurashtra and Kutch regions witnessed heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds as Cyclone Biparjoy approached the Gujarat coast. According to the State Emergency Operating Center (SEOC), the Khambhaliya taluk in Devbhoomi Dwarka district recorded the highest rainfall of 121mm in the 24-hour period ending Wednesday morning. Other areas such as Dwarka and Kalyanpur received 92mm and 70mm of rainfall, respectively.
The SEOC further reported that nine talukas across Jamnagar, Junagadh, Rajkot, Porbandar, and Kutch districts received over 50mm of rainfall during the same period. Additionally, 54 talukas in Saurashtra and Kutch districts experienced rainfall exceeding 10mm in the 24-hour period ending Wednesday morning, according to SEOC’s records.
According to State Relief Commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey, the cyclone is currently around 290 km away from Kutch. As a precautionary measure, approximately 50,000 individuals have been relocated from the coastal areas to secure shelter camps. The evacuation process is still underway, and the remaining 5,000 people will be shifted to safer locations by evening.
Pandey informed the media in Gandhinagar that out of the 50,000 evacuated individuals, 18,000 have been accommodated in camps located in Kutch district, while the rest have been relocated to safer places in Junagadh, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Morbi, and Rajkot.
To ensure the safety of the affected areas, several teams have been deployed. This includes 15 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 12 teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), 115 teams from the State Road and Building Department, and 397 teams from the State Electricity Department. They are stationed in various coastal districts.
Pandey mentioned that officials from the Power and Road and Building departments have arrived in the affected regions to restore power supply and communication. Additionally, separate teams equipped with HAM radio sets and satellite phones have been deployed in regional areas to facilitate better communication.
Cyclone Biparjoy: Gujarat Coast to be Affected on June 15
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel recently visited the State Government’s Emergency Operation Center to assess the preparations for the upcoming cyclone.
As per the bulletin released by the IMD, the cyclone is expected to reach the Gujarat coast on June 15, resulting in increased rainfall intensity across the state. Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Jamnagar are likely to experience extremely heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas.
The bulletin further states that Biparjoy is anticipated to cross Saurashtra, Kutch, and the adjoining Pakistan coast between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau port (Gujarat) on the evening of June 15 as a very severe cyclonic storm. During this time, the region can expect strong winds with speeds ranging from 125-135 kmph and gusts up to 150 kmph.
According to the bulletin, Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi, Junagadh, and other districts in Saurashtra and the North Gujarat region are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall due to the cyclone.
The IMD has also forecasted light to moderate rainfall, along with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in the districts of North Gujarat and adjoining South Rajasthan on Friday.
