According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), as of 11:30 AM IST on June 15, 2023, Cyclone Biparjoy was located near latitude 22.0°N and longitude 67.5°E, about 190 km west-southwest of Jakhau (Gujarat) and 170 km west-southwest of Naliya (Gujarat). The cyclone is expected to move nearly northwards and cross Gujarat coast to the west of Jakhau around afternoon or evening of June 15, 2023 as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph. The wind speed is very likely to decrease gradually becoming 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph by 15th June 2023 night near Jakhau (Gujarat).
The areas likely to be affected by the cyclone are:- Gujarat Districts: Kachchh, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Junagadh, Porbandar, Gir Somnath, and Amreli. It will also move to western Rajasthan and ks expected to pass through or nearby Jaipur towards Madhya Pradesh.
The cyclone could cause large-scale damage in these areas, including the uprooting of power and communication poles, damage to roads, and the disruption of railway services. There may also be damage to standing crops, plantations, and orchards.- The cyclone is also expected to cause heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several districts of Gujarat on June 15 and 16.- Severe thunderstorm and lightning activity is likely over Saurashtra and Kutch on June 15 and 16.- There’s a storm surge warning of about 1.0-1.5 meters height above astronomical tide likely to inundate low lying areas of Kachchh, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar & Morbi districts and 0.5-1.0 meters height above astronomical tide likely to inundate low lying areas of remaining coastal districts of Gujarat at the time of landfall.
The Indian Navy has deployed three of its ships, INS Talwar, INS Tarkash, and INS Tabar, as well as a number of aircraft for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The navy has also put on standby four diving and three flood relief teams in Mumbai, and two diving teams in Goa, for providing assistance to the civil administration, if needed.
The Western Railway has cancelled 69 trains, short-terminated 32 trains, and will short-originate 26 trains as a precautionary measure in view of the safety of passengers and train operations with respect to the onset of Cyclone Biparjoy. All train services on the Bhuj-Naliya section have been suspended until further notice.
The Gujarat government has evacuated more than 2 lakh people from 700 coastal villages of Saurashtra and Kutch, and they have been shifted to safer places. The government has also deployed NDRF, SDRF, and other teams for rescue and relief work. Furthermore, the state government has also stocked up on food packets and drinking water pouches to be air-dropped in case of need.
Stay safe and remain inside if possible. More current information an ne found on Indian Metrological Dept. website: https://mausam.imd.gov.in/responsive/all_india_forcast_bulletin.php
