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Ahmedabad: A big prediction has been made by the Meteorological Department regarding the ‘Biparjoy’ cyclone. Very severe cyclone ‘Biparjoy’ is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours, but it is not expected to hit the Gujarat coast, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said on Saturday.
The cyclone is expected to pass at a distance of 200-300 km from the Porbandar coast, but there is a possibility of gale and strong winds in Gujarat during the next five days. In its latest forecast, the IMD said that very severe cyclonic storm ‘Biparjoy’ is very likely to intensify into an extremely severe cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours. He said that it is likely to move slowly north-northeastwards during the next three days before moving north-northwestwards.
IMD alerted
Manorama Mohanty, director of the Ahmedabad (India Meteorological Department) center said, “The cyclonic storm is currently 600 km away from Porbandar. As it progresses, the port signal alert will change accordingly. At this time, the cyclone is estimated to pass 200-300 km from Porbandar and 200 km from Naliya (Kutch). As far as the current forecast is concerned, there is no possibility of it hitting the Gujarat coast.
He told reporters that fishermen have been warned not to venture into the Arabian Sea during the next five days and all fishing activities have been suspended. Mohanty said, “The cyclone is moving towards the north. It is expected to change its speed to northeast in the next 24 hours. Thereafter, the movement of the cyclone will be towards north-northwest.
He said that there is a possibility of thunderstorms in Gujarat in the next five days, especially in the Saurashtra-Kutch region, the wind speed will be high. Mohanty said, “During the next two days, wind speed of 30-40 kmph could be seen over Saurashtra-Kutch region. Thereafter, wind speed reaching 30-50 kmph gusting to 50 kmph is expected in the region.
The authorities have sent National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to Porbandar, Gir Somnath and Valsad districts. The Indian Coast Guard has advised the fishermen community and sailors of Gujarat, Daman and Diu to take necessary precautions and safety measures.
