Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a meeting to review the preparations to tackle the impact of Cyclone Biparjoy. The very severe cyclonic storm 'Biparjoy' intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm on Sunday. High tidal waves were observed on Monday at Marine Drive in Mumbai as the cyclone intensified. High tidal waves were also seen in the day at the Gateway of India region.
Meanwhile, 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.
India 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.
"We have issued an Orange alert for June 14 and a Red alert for June 15 for all districts. From June 15 we will see a landfall in it and will move towards the north-northeast (NNE) direction. We appeal to people to stay at safe locations," IMD Director General, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said, as quoted by ANI.
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.
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.
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.