21,000 Evacuated As Gujarat Preps For Cyclone Biparjoy: 10 Facts

"Its damaging potential could be extensive," Indian Meteorological Office chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said. "Up to 6 metre high tidal waves are likely in low-lying areas of Saurashtra and Kutch coast," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Strong wind, which can go upto 150 kmph, can damage crops, houses, roads, and flood escape routes, he added.

21,000 people have been shifted from coastal districts to temporary shelters, said State Commissioner of Relief, Alok Kumar Pandey. Teh Coast Guard has evacuated 50 people from an oil rig.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah this morning chaired a meeting of ministers in charge of disaster management from states and Union Territories. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level review meeting yesterday on cyclone Biparjoy and directed officials to take every possible measure to ensure that people living in vulnerable locations are safely evacuated.

PM Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel spoke over phone last evening and discussed the status of the cyclone. PM Modi asked about the state's preparedness and assured all possible help, Mr Patel said.

Authorities have started evacuating people from villages located within 10-km of the coast in Gujarat's Kutch and Saurashtra districts. "We have mapped all the houses that could be vulnerable to cyclone Biparjoy and shifted around 8,600 people to shelter homes," said Kutch collector Amit Arora.. 

A cyclone alert has already been issued in the two districts. Sea conditions along Saurashtra and Kutch coasts will likely remain "very rough" till Thursday. Kutch, Jamnagar, Morbi, Gir Somnath, Porbandar, and Devbhumi Dwarka districts are likely to be impacted by the cyclone during June 13-15 and the wind speed may go up to 150 kmph, the India Meteorological Department said.

A dozen teams each from the national and state disaster forces have been deployed and arrangements made for shelter, food and medicines for those evacuated, said Gujarat Relief Commissioner Alok Pandey. The  Army and Navy are on standby and Coast Guard ships are patrolling along the coast.

The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the seas off the coast of Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Lakshadweep. Ports are also required to hoist signals to alert vessels of impending adverse weather conditions.

The North Western Railway has cancelled some trains as the cyclone is expected to enter southwest Rajasthan on Friday, officials said. Besides, Western Railway yesterday short-terminated over 50 trains heading towards coastal areas in Gujarat and is considering the cancellation of several trains over the next three days. Railways has activated a disaster management room and opened emergency control rooms in several districts of Gujarat to ensure smooth rail functioning.

The cyclone was named 'Biparjoy' meaning "calamity" by Bangladesh. According to the IMD website, the name was adopted by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) countries in 2020.