Date: June 12, 2023
The cyclonic storm 'Biparjoy' has intensified into an "extremely severe cyclonic storm" and is expected to make landfall along the south-southwest Gujarat and adjoining Pakistan coasts. As a precautionary measure, an orange alert has been issued for the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts. The exact location of the landfall will be determined in the coming days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will convene a meeting today at 1 pm to assess the situation regarding Cyclone Biparjoy, according to sources.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted rough to very rough sea conditions along the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts until Wednesday, and very rough to high conditions on Thursday. Mumbai has already experienced high tidal waves and rainfall as Biparjoy intensified into a severe cyclonic storm.
In light of these conditions, the IMD has advised a complete suspension of fishing operations in the region until June 15. Fishermen are also urged not to venture into the central Arabian Sea, north Arabian Sea from June 12-15, and along the Saurashtra-Kutch coasts until June 15. Those currently at sea are advised to return to the coast and regulate offshore and onshore activities cautiously.
The IMD stated, "Considering the above, state governments are advised to closely monitor the situation in their respective areas and take appropriate precautionary measures. District authorities should take necessary action accordingly."
The movement of cyclone 'Biparjoy' indicates that, as of 4:30 pm on Sunday, the extremely severe cyclonic storm is moving northeastward at a speed of 8 kmph over the east-central Arabian Sea. It is currently centered approximately 550 km west of Mumbai, 450 km south-southwest of Porbandar, 490 km south-southwest of Dwarka, 570 km south-southwest of Naliya in Kutch, and 750 km south of Karachi in Pakistan.
The IMD predicts that 'Biparjoy' is likely to cross Saurashtra and Kutch, and the adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) around noon on June 15. It is expected to reach the coast as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph, gusting up to 150 kmph.
The impending landfall of 'Biparjoy' may cause extensive damage in several districts of Gujarat, including Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Morbi, Junagarh, and Rajkot on June 15. Thatched and kutcha houses are likely to be demolished, while pucca houses may suffer damage. Power and communication poles may be uprooted, and there could be potential threats from flying objects. Transportation systems may also be disrupted, and crops, plantations, and orchards may face extensive damage. Visibility in the affected areas will be significantly impacted, posing risks to small boats and crafts.
To mitigate the potential impact, the Gujarat government is deploying teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in coastal areas. Shelters will be established in six districts to accommodate residents within a 5-10 km radius of the coastline, who will be relocated to safer locations. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has assigned senior ministers in the state cabinet to oversee advance planning and disaster management in their respective districts.
The IMD has issued heavy rainfall warnings for various districts in Gujarat, including Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka,
Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagadh, and Morbi on June 14 and 15. Additionally, inclement weather conditions due to Cyclone 'Biparjoy' led to the closure of a runway at Mumbai airport, resulting in the cancellation and delay of some flights.
The IMD has also provided weather forecasts for different regions of India over the next four days, indicating widespread rainfall in Northeast India, heavy rainfall in East India, hailstorms in Northwest India, heavy rainfall in Konkan and Goa, and heatwave conditions in various parts of the country.
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