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New Delhi: Cyclonic storm Biparjoy will hit the Kutch coast in Gujarat by today evening. According to estimates, strong winds can blow at a speed of 125 to 150 kilometers per hour at the time of landfall. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for heavy rains for Kutch and Saurashtra. At the same time, the Gujarat government has 10 km of coastal areas. More than 74 thousand people have been evacuated from the purview of the scheme and sent to temporary camps.
Army, Airforce, Navy, Coastguard, NDRF, SDRF have been deployed in 8 districts of Gujarat. At the same time, 42 teams of NDRF have been deployed in different states. The PMO is also very active regarding this cyclonic storm. PM Modi himself is taking every moment’s update. All agencies from Delhi to Gandhinagar are on high alert.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department – Very Severe Cyclonic Storm “BIPARJOY” over Northeast Arabian Sea with a speed of 8 kmph in the northeast direction during the last 6 hours and 140 km west-southwest of Jakhau port at 11.30 hrs IST on June 15, 2023 Devbhoomi was located 190 km west-northwest of Dwarka, 170 km west-southwest of Naliya, 280 km west-northwest of Porbandar and 230 km south of Karachi (Pakistan).
It is likely to move northeastwards as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm with gusts to 140 kmph and sustained surface wind speed of 115-125 kmph over Saurashtra-Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts by night of 15th June, 2023. There is a possibility of crossing near Jakhau port between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan). The process of crossing the coast (LANDFALL) will start from the evening of June 15 and will continue till midnight.
The IMD said that during the landfall of the cyclone, there is a possibility of inundation of low-lying areas of the affected districts due to storm surges about two-three meters high above the astronomical tide in the sea. According to the department, waves three to six meters high can rise in some places. Biparjoy is the second cyclonic storm to hit Gujarat in May 2021 after ‘Taukte’.
Western Railway has said that as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers, 76 trains have been canceled while 36 have been short terminated and 31 have been decided to operate at select stations.
