New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said early today that after leaving a trail of destruction, severe cyclone ‘Biparjoy’ is expected to weaken by Friday morning and turn into a ‘depression’ by later evening. IMD officials said that ‘severe’ cyclonic storm Biparjoy is centered over the Saurashtra-Kutch region and is expected to move northeastwards, adding that heavy rain is expected in Rajasthan on Friday. “The Severe Cyclonic Storm BIPARJOY lay centered over Saurashtra-Kutch region 30 km north of Naliya till 02:30 hrs today,” the IMD said in a tweet.
It is expected to move northeastwards and weaken into a cyclonic storm by June 16 morning and into a depression over south Rajasthan by the same evening. IMD Director Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that the cyclone has now moved from sea to land and is centered towards Saurashtra-Kutch. Mohapatra told ANI, “Cyclone Biporjoy moved north east and crossed Saurashtra-Kutch adjoining Pakistan coast near Jakhau port, Gujarat. The cyclone has now moved from sea to land and over Saurashtra-Kutch is focused.”
Severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy lay centered over Saurashtra-Kutch region, 30 km north of Naliya as of 0230 IST today. It is expected to move northeastwards and weaken into a cyclonic storm by the morning of June 16, and further south into a depression by the same evening.… pic.twitter.com/53cEi3uSFN– ANI (@ANI) June 15, 2023
He said, “The intensity of the cyclone has decreased to 105-115 kmph. The category has changed from Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) to Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS). Rajasthan may receive heavy rain on June 16 (Friday) Is.” Added.
Cyclone Biparjoy’s intensity moved from ‘very severe’ to ‘severe’ on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday after the storm made landfall in the Gujarat coast.
The IMD had earlier said that Cyclone Biparjoy is moving from Saurashtra-Kutch as a very severe cyclone.
The IMD had said on Thursday evening, “The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) lies close to Saurashtra and Kutch coast. The landfall process is on and it will make landfall completely by midnight. The eye portion is over land.”
Chance of heavy rain in Rajasthan
Dr M Mohapatra, head of the Indian Meteorological Office, said that extremely heavy rainfall is likely over Rajasthan on June 16 and 17, as the cyclone is moving northwest.
The storm makes landfall on the Gujarat coast
Cyclone Biparjoy, which has been forming over the Arabian Sea for several days, has made landfall in the coastal areas of Gujarat and train services have also been affected due to this. Western Railway said that due to this, around 99 trains running, originating or terminating from Biparjoy affected areas of Gujarat will remain canceled or short-terminated. Officials said several relief and rescue teams are on alert as thousands of people have been evacuated to safer places in Gujarat.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel chaired a review meeting at the State Emergency Operation Center in Gandhinagar on Thursday.
More than 22 people injured; poles and trees were uprooted
At least 22 people were injured while electric poles and trees were uprooted as ‘extremely severe’ cyclonic storm Biparjoy made landfall in Gujarat on Thursday. The cyclone is likely to weaken into a depression over Rajasthan this evening. He said that due to heavy rains and strong winds, more than 524 trees and electric poles were uprooted at various places in Gujarat, causing power failure in about 940 villages.
18 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 12 teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), 115 teams of State Road and Building Department and 397 teams of State Electricity Department are working in the coastal districts.
Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and took stock of the situation in the aftermath of the cyclonic storm. PM Modi also asked about the security arrangements for wild animals including lions in Gir forest.
IMD issues red alert for Saurashtra and Kutch coasts saying VSCS (Very Severe Cyclonic Storm) ‘Biparjoy’ will cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi and Karachi near Jakhau Port by Thursday evening .
port closed, ships anchored
A warning has already been issued by the India Meteorological Department about widespread damage to temporary housing structures and falling of trees and branches due to high-speed winds, high tides and heavy rainfall.
Fishing activities have been suspended till Friday, ports closed and ships anchored. Two famous temples – Dwarkadhish temple in Devbhoomi Dwarka and Somnath temple in Gir Somnath district – remained closed for devotees on Thursday. Commercial operations at Gujarat’s Jamnagar airport have been suspended till Friday. Airport officials said diesel and petrol required to operate the airport in case of emergency have been stored.