Cyclone Biparjoy: Gujarat on alert, 1,300 people evacuated; Modi to hold review meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting to review the situation related to Cyclone Biparjoy on Monday (June 12) afternoon.

Fishing activities along Gujarat’s south and north coasts have been suspended and authorities were evacuating people in districts by the sea in view of Biparjoy that is likely to make landfall along the Saurashtra-Kutch coasts as an extremely severe cyclonic storm, officials said on Monday.

Officials in coastal Devbhumi Dwarka said around 1,300 people have been shifted to safer places so far.

In its latest bulletin, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the extremely severe cyclonic storm was very likely to move north-northeast and cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) by the June 15 noon as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kilometres per hours (kmph) gusting to 150 kmph.

On Monday morning, the IMD issued an orange alert for the Kutch and Saurashtra coast in Gujarat as the cyclone intensified into an extremely severe storm on Sunday (June 11).

A bulletin issued by the IMD at 9.08 am on Monday said, “Cyclone Alert for Saurashtra & Kutch Coast: Orange Message. ESCS BIPARJOY at 0530IST of today over east central & adjoining NE Arabian Sea near lat 19.2N & long 67.7E, about 380 km SSW of Devbhumi Dwarka. To cross near Jakhau Port, Gujarat by noon of 15 June.”

Cyclone Alert for Saurashtra & Kutch Coast: Orange Message. ESCS BIPARJPY at 0530IST of today over eastcentral & adjoining NE Arabian Sea near lat 19.2N & long 67.7E, about 380km SSW of Devbhumi Dwarka. To cross near Jakhau Port,Gujarat by noon of 15June. https://t.co/KLRdEFGKQj pic.twitter.com/bxn44UUVhD

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) June 12, 2023

Heavy rain, strong winds in Mumbai; flights affected

Mumbai experienced heavy rain and strong winds as the “extremely severe cyclonic storm” affected the capital city of Maharashtra as well.

Also read: IMD warning: Cyclone ‘Biparjoy’ likely to intensify into severe cyclonic storm today

The Mumbai airport witnessed chaotic scenes as the cyclonic conditions affected flight operations. Several flights were cancelled or delayed indefinitely, and some planes could not land. Hundreds of passengers were left stranded and frustrated.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: High tidal waves witnessed in Mumbai as cyclone #Biparjoy intensified into a severe cyclonic storm.

(visuals from Gateway of India) pic.twitter.com/UrnR0sahtE

— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2023

The weather office has issued a “thunderstorm” alert for some districts in coastal Maharashtra.

“Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and light to moderate spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph very likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Ratnagiri, Raigad, Thane, Palghar and Kolhapur during next 3-4 hours. Take precautions while moving out,” IMD said.

The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the seas off the coast of Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep.

“The state governments are advised to keep a close watch, monitor the situation in their areas regularly and take appropriate precautionary measures. District authorities are advised accordingly,” the IMD said.

Also read: Cyclone Biparjoy intensifies into severe cyclonic storm, affecting monsoon

In Kutch, the officials at the Kandla Port started taking proactive action by shifting people from low-lying areas to temporary storm shelters. The port authorities said that six ships had already left the port and 11 more would leave on Monday (June 12).

As the cyclone Biparjoy is also expected to make a landfall along the Sindh coastal region of Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Pakistan has issued a high alert.

(With inputs from agencies)