AHMEDABAD/RAJKOT: Intense Cyclone Biparjoy Threatens Gujarat Coast: Landfall Expected on July 15
A very severe cyclonic storm named Biparjoy is approaching the coast of Kutch in Gujarat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings, stating that the cyclone is likely to make landfall between Mandvi in Kutch district and Karachi in Pakistan around noon on July 15. With winds gusting up to 145 kmph, it has been classified as a “very severe cyclonic storm.”
Previously, experts expected it to head towards Pakistan, but recent forecasts indicate that it is shifting towards Gujarat. This could be the second major cyclone to hit the Gujarat coast in two years, following Cyclone Tauktae in May 2021. Authorities have carried out evacuations in coastal areas to minimize risks.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has held a high-level meeting to assess preparedness, assigning senior ministers to affected districts.Authorities have evacuated approximately 1,500 individuals in Devbhoomi Dwarka and Kutch, and they have issued a yellow alert for gusty winds in Mumbai and Thane.
Safety measures include the establishment of shelter homes inland from the sea and the deployment of rescue and relief teams. The meteorological department has issued a red warning for high winds and heavy rainfall in Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Jamnagar districts, while they have placed neighboring districts under an orange alert. Mumbai and Thane have a yellow alert for gusty winds. Monsoon season has also been declared in Maharashtra.
The Gujarat government emphasizes close collaboration between ministers and local administrations for effective mitigation and relief efforts. Their priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of the public in the face of this approaching cyclone.
Additionally, on October 29, 2019, the IMD issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in Alappuzha, Ernakulam, and Idukki districts in Kerala. The authorities have issued an orange alert for high-intensity rain and hailstorms in isolated areas on July 11, 2023.These alerts are crucial for raising awareness and preparedness for adverse weather conditions.