New Delhi: Over 45,000 people have been moved to safety from coastal areas in Gujarat as cyclone “Biparjoy” closes in on the Indian mainland and is expected to make landfall in Jakhau Thursday evening.
The cyclone is currently located 290 km west-southwest of Devbhoomi Dwarka and 280 km west-southwest of Jakhau Port in the state.
At the time of landfall, wind speeds of 125-135 kmph — gusting up to 150 kmph — are expected.
Areas such as Kutch, Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh, and Gir-Somnath are likely to experience wind speeds of 65 to 75 kmph. Devbhoomi Dwarka is expected to receive extremely heavy rainfall, while Kutch, Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi, and Junagarh districts may experience heavy to very heavy rainfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts. A relay tower in Rajkot has also been demolished due to safety concerns.
Eighteen teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed in the state.
Apart from the evacuation, awareness programs are being conducted and frequent announcements being made to inform residents about the cyclone and the importance of staying in confined areas or their homes.
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi met the disaster management teams in Dwarka to review the state’s preparedness for the very severe cyclone. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also conducted a virtual meeting with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other officials on Tuesday evening to assess the state’s readiness.
Heavy winds have already uprooted over 20 electric poles in Dwarka, and damaged several kuchcha houses. Flight operations have been temporarily suspended at the Bhuj airport, with the terminal shut on 14 and 15 June. The popular Mandvi beach in Kutch district and other coastal areas wore a deserted look Wednesday.
Cyclone Biparjoy is also expected to affect Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ajmer, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jalore, and other districts of Rajasthan. Heavy storms and rainfall are forecast for Jodhpur and Udaipur divisions on Thursday and Friday, while Ajmer will likely be affected Saturday. The district administrations have taken necessary steps to ensure public safety and have urged people to remain in safer places.
Pakistan’s Balochistan has also declared a state of emergency in the coastal areas and issued Section 144 as the cyclone approaches the Makran Belt.
Also read: Biparjoy shows changing nature of Arabian Sea cyclones. Climate-proof India’s west coast