Evacuation will continue in villages near the Gujarat coast today as cyclone 'Biparjoy' intensified into an "extremely severe cyclonic storm". It is likely to make landfall between Kutch and Pakistan's Karachi on Thursday afternoon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday held a high-level review meeting and was briefed about the efforts taken to mitigate the impact of the cyclone.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) today issued an Orange alert for Saurashtra and Kutch coasts in Gujarat as the cyclonic storm Biparjoy is set to cross the Jakhau Port in Gujarat by the evening of June 15 as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS).
Here are the LIVE updates on Cyclone Biparjoy:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday chaired a review meeting on the preparedness for cyclone 'Biparjoy'.
Cyclone 'Biparjoy' which weakened from an 'extremely severe' to 'very severe' cyclone is expected to make landfall in Gujarat and Pakistan on Thursday.
Authorities on Tuesday shifted 30,000 people from coastal areas to temporary shelters two days before powerful cyclone Biparjoy's expected landfall near Jakhau port in Gujarat's Kutch district.
Cyclone Biparjoy is now completely detached from the monsoonal flow and will not adversely impact the advance of the rain-bearing system or its performance, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday.
Union Power Minister RK Singh on Tuesday held a review meeting with senior officers of the Ministry of Power, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Grid Controller of India and PGCIL for the preparations for maintenance of power supply in coastal areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan which are likely to be affected by Cyclone 'Biparjoy'. As per the Ministry of Power, "RK Singh also discussed various necessary arrangements with the Power Minister of Gujarat on the phone."
Authorities on Tuesday shifted 30,000 people from coastal areas to temporary shelters two days before powerful cyclone Biparjoy's expected landfall near Jakhau port in Gujarat's Kutch district. An official said several NDRF and SDRF teams are on standby. Simultaneously, Army authorities have jointly planned relief operations with civil administration and National Disaster Response Force.
Hundreds of people are being evacuated from coastal villages in Kutch district in view of cyclone Biparjoy but authorities are facing a challenge as many villagers are reluctant to leave their livestock and belongings behind.
Cyclone Biparjoy is now completely detached from the monsoonal flow and will not adversely impact the advance of the rain-bearing system or its performance, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday. Addressing a press conference here, IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the cyclone, however, helped the monsoon advance over southern parts of the peninsula by increasing the cross-equatorial flow over the Arabian Sea.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday chaired a review meeting on the preparedness for cyclone 'Biparjoy'. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and MPs from eight likely affected districts in the state, which could be impacted by the cyclone, virtually participated in the meeting. The India Meteorological Department on Monday said that the extremely severe cyclonic storm 'Biparjoy' has weakened into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS).
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has evacuated a 50-member crew of a jackup rig in Gujarat as a preventive measure ahead of the expected landfall of severe Cyclone Biparjoy, an official statement said on Tuesday. "In a swift and well-coordinated move, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) evacuated 50 lives on June 13 at Okha, Gujarat as a preventive measure," the statement issued by the Defence Ministry said.
With cyclone 'Biparjoy' barrelling towards Kutch district in Gujarat, shelter homes are being set up with arrangements for rations and meals while an action plan is being put in place to tackle medical and health emergencies,
Cyclone Biparjoy, expected to make landfall between Gujarat and Pakistan on Thursday, will have "extensive damaging potential," the met office has said. It can cause tidal waves in coastal areas and damage crops, houses, roads, power and phone lines.
Jakhau port, one of the busiest docks in Gujarat, is serenely inactive except for the rough sea, gushing wind and heavy rains as it awaits the landfall of cyclone 'Biparjoy'.
Cyclone 'Biparjoy' has weakened to a 'very severe cyclonic storm' but has extensive damaging potential when it makes landfall on Thursday, India Meteorological Department's Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said today.
As cyclone Biparjoy with an extensive damaging potential is likely to make landfall near Jakhau port in Gujarat's Kutch district on June 15 evening, the administration has so far shifted 21,000 people from different coastal districts to temporary shelters while several NDRF and SDRF teams are on standby, an official said on Tuesday. He said the evacuation process was still underway and all the targeted population will be shifted to safer places by this evening.
With cyclone 'Biparjoy' barrelling towards Kutch district in Gujarat, shelter homes are being set up with arrangements for rations and meals while an action plan is being put in place to tackle medical and health emergencies, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday. He said all labourers working at ports in coastal areas have been evacuated, ships have been anchored, and crew members shifted to safer places.
#WATCH | After the meeting of Disaster Management ministers of States/UTs, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "In the last nine years, the Central Govt and States have achieved a lot in this area. Nobody can deny it. But we can't stay content because disasters have changed their... pic.twitter.com/qXLjSWW8KZ
- ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023
#WATCH | Strong winds, turbulent sea at Dwarka owing to cyclonic storm 'Biparjoy'#Gujarat pic.twitter.com/cjSfsAXWFU
- ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023
Delhi | Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs a meeting of Disaster Management ministers of States/Union Territories. pic.twitter.com/IlKJiO0sId
- ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023
#WATCH | Light rain in Naliya town of Kachchh district as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm 'Biparjoy' continues to move towards Gujarat coast pic.twitter.com/eCMKAr0GmV
- ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023
The Railways has activated the disaster management room and also opened emergency control rooms in several districts of Gujarat to ensure smooth rail functioning in the wake of Cyclone Biparjoy. Director of Information and Publication Railway Board, Shivaji Sutar, on Monday said that sufficient manpower and machinery has been deployed with adequate preparation to deal with any emergency situation. (ANI)
#CycloneBiprarjoy
- Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) June 12, 2023
Updates on ESCS #Biparjoy.@IndiaCoastGuard ALH Mk-III (CG 858) has airlifted total of 11 personnel from jack up rig 'Key Singapore operating off #Dwarka to #Okha, #Gujarat. Sorties being progressed for evacuation off all persons.
वयम् रक्षामः #WeProtect pic.twitter.com/k3MGsD5F7a
#CycloneBiparjoy
- Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) June 12, 2023
Cyclone alert‼️ for Gujarat Coast (#Saurashtra & #Kutch): @IndiaCoastGuard ships and aircraft continuously engaging mariners and coastal community by advising safety precautions during upcoming Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm #Biparjoy.
वयम् रक्षामः(We Protect)⚓️ pic.twitter.com/LQXaRxF0nE
- Gale wind speed reaching 155-165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph prevailing over northeast and adjoining east central Arabian Sea likely to decrease becoming 140-150 kmph gusting to 165 kmph from the evening.
- Gale wind speed reaching 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph likely to prevail over adjoining areas of east central Arabian Sea.
- Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely over adjoining areas of northwest Arabian Sea.
- Kutch - 4
- Jamnagar - 2
- Morbi - 1
- Rajkot - 3
- Devbhoomi Dwarka - 3
- Porbandar - 1
- Somnath - 1
- Valsad - 1
- Junagarh - 1
- Diu - 1
Cyclone Biparjoy in the Arabian Sea first delayed the monsoon onset over Kerala and is now impeding the advance of the rain-bearing system, preventing it from reaching the interior regions of the peninsula, said Skymet Weather.
As Cyclone 'Biparjoy' approaches and is likely to make landfall near Jakhau port in the Kutch district off the Gujarat coast, evacuation efforts will pick up on Tuesday, with the government aiming to evacuate people within 10 km from the coast. Authorities in the coastal districts of Kutch, Porbandar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Junagadh, and Morbi have started the process of shifting those living near the coastline. They said thousands of people residing in areas within 10 km from the shore will be moved to safer places from Tuesday.
As powerful cyclone 'Biparjoy' moves closer to the Gujarat coast, the Western Railway has short-terminated more than 50 trains heading to coastal areas of the state and is considering cancellation of several trains over the next three days, a release said. The WR is taking various measures including setting up disaster management rooms, help desks, and keeping relief trains ready, the release said on Monday.
#WATCH | Gujarat | Rough sea conditions and strong winds witnessed in Dwarka, as an effect of #BiparjoyCyclone. Visuals from Gomtighat in Dwarka.
- ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023
As per IMD's latest update, VSCS (very severe cyclonic storm) Biparjoy lay centred at 02:30 IST over the Northeast and adjoining east... pic.twitter.com/oesjASr8R0
#WATCH | Gujarat | Hundreds of trucks parked at Gandhidham due to the closure of Kandla Port in the wake of #CycloneBiparjoy. pic.twitter.com/RC17R68A6P
- ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023
#WATCH | Maharashtra | High tide hits Worli Sea Face in Mumbai
- ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023
As per the latest update by IMD, partly cloudy sky with possibility of light to moderate rain/ thundershowers in city & suburbs expected in Mumbai today; occasional strong winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph very likely... pic.twitter.com/c4obVpdQro