Cyclone Biparjoy: Indian Army Deployed Over 27 Relief Columns Across Gujarat, Says Defence Spokesperson

As cyclone Biparjoy approached the coastal cities of Gujarat, all armed forces including the Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard have prepared themselves to provide assistance to the locals.

New Delhi: As the severe cyclone Biparjoy approached the coastal cities of Gujarat, all armed forces including the Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard have prepared themselves to provide assistance to the locals.

Defence PRO & Spokesperson MoD, Wing Commander N Manish told ANI, "In consonance with its firm resolve to mitigate the hardships felt by the population during times of natural disaster all armed forces that are the Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard have prepared themselves to provide assistance to the locals in view of Cyclone Biparjoy in Gujarat."

He further added, "Indian army has deployed more than 27 relief columns across Gujarat as well as at the forward locations of Mandvi, and Dwarka. Army authorities have also jointly started relief operations along with civil administration as well as with the NDRF teams."

It is likely to cross Saurashtra and Kutch regions and adjoining Pakistan Coasts.

Amit Arora, Collector Kachchh, Gujarat told news agency ANI, "46,000 people evacuated & shifted to shelter homes. 6 NDRF, 3 RPF teams, 2 SDRF teams & 8 columns of Army on standby. More than 20,000 animals have been taken to safer places. Adequate amount of food ration available at all shelter homes. 50 teams ready for road clearance."

Earlier on Wednesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the preparedness of the Armed Forces to tackle the storm.

"Spoke to all three Service Chiefs and reviewed the preparedness of the Armed Forces for the landfall of cyclone 'Biparjoy'. The Armed Forces are ready to provide every possible assistance to civil authorities in tackling any situation or contingency due to the cyclone," Singh had tweeted.

Biparjoy is expected to make landfall near the Jakhau coast on the evening of June 15 and traverse all along the Rann upto Rajasthan.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounded a Red alert as cyclone 'Biparjoy' warning for the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts in Gujarat.

The Western Railway on Wednesday decided to cancel or short- terminate the operation of a few more trains as a precaution in view of the powerful cyclone. The Western Railway said seven more trains have been cancelled, three short-terminated and four other services short-originated in view of safety of passengers and train operations as the cyclone approaches the Gujarat coast.