Cyclone Biparjoy: Precautions Taken, Ships Depart, Residents Relocated. Top Points

As Cyclone Biparjoy approached, port officials quickly relocated residents from low-lying areas to shelters. Ships set sail to ensure safety in the midst of the storm.

Motorcyclist move past fishing boats shifted on a road due to Cyclone Biparjoy at a harbour in Porbander, Gujarat. (Representational Image)

Source : PTI

As the cyclone intensifies into an "extremely severe cyclonic storm," preparations are being made for a June 15 landfall between Gujarat's Kutch district and Pakistan's Karachi. In response to this imminent threat, the Gujarat government is rapidly deploying teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) along the coast, while also building shelters in six districts.

This cyclonic storm, named "Biparjoy," is expected to pass through the Saurashtra-Kutch region and the adjacent coasts of Pakistan, specifically from Mandvi in Gujarat to Karachi, with sustained winds reaching 125-135 kmph and gusting up to 150 kmph around noon on June 15.

READ | Gujarat Beach Closed Till June 14 As Cyclonic Storm 'Biparjoy' Likely To Intensify In Next 24 Hours

Top Points: 

• The IMD has predicted that Cyclone Biparjoy is likely to move nearly northwards and make landfall between Gujarat's Saurashtra and Kutch regions and the adjoining coasts of Pakistan on June 15. 
• 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. 

READ | Cyclone Biparjoy: NDRF Stationed At Beach Near Gujarat's Vadodara, Storm To Intensify In 24 Hours