Cyclone Biparjoy to cover 8 Gujarat districts at 135 kmph; to hit at 5 pm

Storm can cause damage to trees, small houses, mud houses, and structures made of tin

NEW DELHI | Updated: 15 June, 2023 11:27 am IST
The cyclone will hit Jakhau coast in Kutch between 5 pm and 6 pm on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to bring rainfall and inundate low-lying areas in at least eight districts of Gujarat. It is projected to make landfall at the coastal village of Jakhau in the Kutch district around 5 pm on Thursday.

With an approximate distance of 180 kilometers from Jakhau, the cyclone, classified as a “very severe cyclonic storm” by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), is expected to hit between 5 pm and 6 pm, according to Kutch district magistrate Amit Arora.

As per the IMD, cyclone Biparjoy will bring sustained wind speeds ranging from 115-125 kmph, gusting up to 140 kmph.

Weather forecasters have issued a crucial warning about the storm surge, stating that it could reach 2-3 meters above the astronomical tide, resulting in the flooding of low-lying areas in the affected districts during landfall.

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Astronomical tides in these regions may range from 3-6 meters at different locations. The sea conditions over the northeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea will remain formidable until the evening of June 15.

In addition to Gujarat, a wind warning has also been issued for South Rajasthan.

Eight coastal districts of Gujarat – Kutch, Porbandar, Junagadh, Jamnagar, Devbhoomi-Dwarka, Gir-Somnath, Morbi, and Rajkot – have been placed on high alert for storm surges, with additional forces and rescuers deployed.

Rough sea in Mandvi coast of Kutch district on Thursday morning.

In Kutch, which is expected to be the most affected district, at least six teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), two teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and three teams of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed.

The IMD emphasizes that sea conditions will become rough to very rough in the adjoining northwest Arabian Sea and other parts of the east-central Arabian Sea during the same period.

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More than 50,000 people from vulnerable areas have been evacuated so far, with the Kutch district administration alone relocating around 47,000 individuals to safer places.

Additionally, the Army has been put on standby to assist in any rescue and relief operations that may be required.

According to IMD director Mrityunjay Mahapatra, with wind speeds reaching approximately 125-135 kmph, the storm has the potential to cause damage to trees, small houses, mud houses, and structures made of tin.

As the cyclone progresses, intermittent but heavy rainfall is expected in some regions. Residents and authorities have been advised to stay updated with the latest weather bulletins and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

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