The Gujarat government has deployed NDRF and SDRF teams in coastal areas and has planned to set up shelters in six districts as the extremely severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy is likely to make landfall between Kutch district and Pakistan’s Karachi on June 15. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Sunday reviewed the preparedness of different wings of the Union government and the Gujarat administration to deal with the cyclone.


Biparjoy lay over eastcentral Arabian Sea at 11:30 PM IST yesterday. "Cyclone Alert for Saurashtra & Kutch Coast: Yellow Message. ESCS BIPARJOY over eastcentral Arabian Sea, at 2330 IST of 11th Jun near lat 18.9N & long 67.7E, Likely to cross between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) by noon of 15th June," IMD tweeted.






The cyclone intensified into an "extremely severe cyclonic storm" on Sunday and is likely to make landfall between the Kutch district of Gujarat and Karachi in Pakistan on June 15.


Top Points:    



  • Cyclone Biparjoy is likely to cross between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) by noon on June 15. High tidal waves were witnessed in Mumbai as cyclone Biparjoy intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. 




  • Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Saurashtra & Kutch Coasts in view of extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm “Biparjoy” over the east-central and adjoining northeast Arabian Sea.



  • The Union home secretary chaired a meeting of the National Executive Committee to review the preparedness of the central ministries, agencies, and the government of Gujarat to deal with the impending cyclone, a ministry spokesperson said, as reported by PTI. Adequate numbers of teams and assets of the NDRF, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard have been deployed to assist the Gujarat government in their preparedness, rescue, and restoration efforts.


  • The government of Gujarat has taken all precautionary measures to deal with Cyclone Biparjoy and is in readiness for restoration of services after the cyclone makes landfall, the spokesperson said, as reported by PTI.


  • The Chief Secretary of Gujarat and senior officials of central ministries and agencies such as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) attended the meeting.


  • Gujarat is expected to experience thunderstorm activity with high wind speeds over the next five days. This emphasises the importance of taking the necessary precautions and ensuring the safety of the region's residents. The IMD has issued warnings about sea conditions along the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts, predicting that they will be rough to very rough until Wednesday, then very rough to high on Thursday.
     

  • Six ships have already left the port in response to the approaching cyclone, with 11 more scheduled to leave tomorrow. Port officials and ship owners have been urged to remain vigilant and alert, emphasising the importance of ensuring the safety of maritime operations and vessels, ANI reported. As a precaution, authorities have moved people living in low-lying areas of Kandla, Gujarat, to temporary shelters in Gandhidham, the report said.


  • Tithal Beach, a popular tourist destination in Gujarat's Valsad, has been temporarily closed to tourists due to the cyclone's adverse weather conditions.  The IMD has issued warnings to fishermen not to venture into the seas off the coasts of Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep. 


  • The Indian Coast Guard has been actively engaging with fishermen and coastal communities, holding regular community interactions to raise awareness and ensure appropriate precautions are taken in the face of the approaching cyclone, PTI reported.  As the cyclone approaches, the Pakistan government has advised authorities in Sindh and Balochistan to remain vigilant.


  • The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted rain and thunder along the coasts of Sindh and Makran beginning on June 13, as per media reports. Bangladesh named Cyclone Biparjoy, the name meaning "disaster" or "calamity" in Bengali.