Cyclone "Bipajroy", which turned into an extremely severe cyclonic storm on Sunday, is likely to intensify further and cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) by noon of June 15.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting to review the situation related to Cyclone Biparjoy on Monday.
The extremely severe cyclonic storm over eastcentral Arabian Sea moved northwards with a speed of 05 kmph during past six hours and lay centered over the same region about 540 km west of Mumbai, 360 km southwest of Porbandar, 400 km south-southwest of Devbhumi Dwarka, 490 km south-southwest of Naliya and 660 km south of Karachi as of 2:30 am on June 12, 2023, a bulletin from the India-based Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) said.
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The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in its bulletin issued on Monday morning sounded a ‘orange’ alert for Gujarat due to the cyclone. “Cyclone Alert for Saurashtra & Kutch Coast: Orange Message. ESCS BIPARJPY at 0530IST of today over eastcentral & adjoining NE Arabian Sea near lat 19.2N & long 67.7E, about 380km SSW of Devbhumi Dwarka. To cross near Jakhau Port, Gujarat by noon of 15June.,” it said.
Amid the cyclone alert, officials at Deendayal Port Authority in Kandla at Gujarat's Kutch have started shifting people from low-lying areas to temporary shelters. Public Relations Officer of Deendayal Port Authority Om Prakash said that six ships have left the port and 11 more will be departing on Monday.
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Expected damage
Storm surge of about 2 -3 m above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate the low lying areas of Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagarh and Morbi districts) districts during the time of landfall, the RSMC said in its bulletin issued today morning.
Total destruction of thatched houses/ extensive damage to kutcha houses, some damage to Pucca houses, potential threat from flying objects, bending/ uprooting of power and communication poles, major damage to Kutcha and Pucca roads, flooding of escape routes, disruption of railways, overhead power lines and signalling systems -- are some of the other damage warnings issued by the RSMC.
Meanwhile, Mumbai city as well as coastal parts of the state also witnessed strong winds as the intensity of cyclone Biparjoy increased bringing rains to the western parts of the state.
Mumbai airport bore witness to scenes of chaos after the temporary closure of the main runway due to inclement weather. Passengers were forced to wait for hours on Sunday night after airlines announced delays in scheduled flights.
“Inclement weather conditions and the temporary closure of Runway 09/27 at the Mumbai airport, in addition to other consequential factors beyond our control have resulted in delays and cancellation of some of our flights. We regret the inconvenience caused to our guests, as we make all effort to minimise the disruptions,” Air India tweeted.
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There has been considerable uncertainty in the track and intensity of cyclone Biparjoy since it developed on June 6. According to meteorologists, the storm underwent rapid intensification in the initial days and has sustained its strength due to a warmer Arabian Sea.
(With inputs from PTI)
