Cyclone Biparjoy: IMD issues red alert for Saurashtra, Kutch coasts, warns of flood | Top points

Cyclone Warning for Saurashtra & Kutch Coasts: RED MESSAGE. VSCS BIPARJOY at 0530IST of today over NE Arabian Sea near lat 21.9N & long 66.3E, about 280km WSW of Jakhau Port (Gujarat), 290km WSW of Devbhumi Dwarka. To cross near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by evening of 15June as VSCS. pic.twitter.com/DQPh75eXwY

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) June 14, 2023

The cyclone is expected to move nearly north-northeastwards and cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by Thursday evening of  as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 km per hour gusting to 150 km per hour.

Here are the top 5 updates on Cyclone Biparjoy

1. 01

   Heavy rainfall warning

   Kachchh, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts of Saurashtra and Kutch are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall and extremely heavy falls at isolated places on Wednesday. The intensity of rainfall is likely to increase on Thursday.

2. 02

   IMD warns of flood in Gujarat districts

   According to IMD, a storm surge of about 2 -3 metres above the astronomical tide would likely inundate the low lying areas of Kachchh, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagarh and Morbi districts of Gujarat during the time of landfall of the cyclone. The astronomical tides along these districts could be up to 3-6 metres in different places.

    

3. 03

   Phenomenal-rough sea condition

   With Cyclone 'Biporjoy' intensifying, high tidal waves have hit the Gujarat coasts. According to the IMD, The sea condition is likely to be phenomenal over the northeast and adjoining eastcentral Arabian Sea till the evening of Thursday evening, and rough to very rough over adjoining northwest Arabian Sea and rest parts of eastcentral Arabian Sea during the same period. The Met department added that the condition of the sea is expected to be rough to very rough till Wednesday morning and high to phenomenal thereafter till Thursday evening. It would improve thereafter.

4. 04

   Trail of destructions

   The weather department has predicted a total destruction of thatched houses and extensive damage to kutcha houses during the period. Some damage could be caused to pucca houses too. The rough weather conditions can also result in bending and uprooting of trees and communication polls, cause major damage to kutcha and pucca roads, and flood escape routes. Widespread damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards, falling of green coconuts, tearing of palm fronds, and blowing down of bushy trees like mango are also expected.

   According to the IMD, the train services and power supply can be disrupted due to the unfavourable weather conditions in the northwest coast of India.

5. 05

   Precautions, preparations in place

   The IMD has advised total suspension of fishing operations over eastcentral and adjoining eestcentral Arabian Sea Thursday and over northeast Arabian Sea during Wednesday and Thursday. Those who have ventured into the sea have been advised to return to coast at the earliest. People in affected areas have been advised to remain indoors while tourism activities in these areas have been restricted.

   The Gujarat government has already identified over 400 shelter homes in Dwarka and people are being shifted out to the shelter homes. Amreli police delivered essential items including vegetables and milk to the villagers of Shiyalbet in Jafrabad, Gujarat. In Gujarat's Junagadh, residents of coastal areas were being shifted to shelters.

6. 06

   Balochistan declares state of emergency in coastal areas

   Meanwhile, Balochistan's government has declared a state of emergency in its coastal areas as Cyclone Biparjoy approaches the Makran Belt, reported The Express Tribune. Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has ordered implementation of Section 144 in the coastal belt. All departments and law enforcement organisations are put on high alert. According to an official handout, all government personnel in the Makran Belt have had their leaves cancelled due to the crisis.