As cyclone Biparjoy approaches the coastal cities of Gujarat, a 'Shanti Path' havan was performed in Varanasi on Thursday to minimise the impact of the cyclone which is expected to make landfall along the Gujarat coast later today, reported PTI. The news agency also shared a half-minute clip from a temple in which one can see the havan being performed.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said that five people have already lost their lives before the landfall. It further stated that NDRF has deployed 18 teams in collaboration with the state government, mostly in Kutch.
Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to make landfall in the evening today between 4 PM to 5 PM near the Jakhau port in Gujarat's Kutch district, said Amit Arora, Collector Kachchh, Gujarat to news agency ANI. It is likely to cross Saurashtra and Kutch regions and adjoining Pakistan Coasts.
He also said, "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."
Defence PRO & Spokesperson MoD, Wing Commander N Manish told ANI that all armed forces including the Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard have prepared themselves to provide assistance to the locals.
"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," said the spokesperson.
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.