AMN/ WEB DESK

The Meteorological Department has issued heavy rainfall and fishermen warnings for the Kutch and Saurashtra coast of Gujarat. An extremely severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy is expected to reach the coastal areas between Mandavi of Kutch district of Gujarat and Karachi of Pakistan on June 15. In view of the situation, the Meteorological Department has issued LW 4 Signal at all the ports of Gujarat.

The Meteorological Department has warned of very heavy rainfall and strong winds with a speed of 120 to 135 kmph gusting to 145 kmph from Thursday morning in the coastal areas of Saurashtra, Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagadh and Morbi districts of Gujarat. Ms. Mohanti, Regional Director of Meteorological said to Akashvani that the impact of this possible storm is likely to be seen in 6 coastal districts and some other areas of the state mostly from June 14th. Sea conditions are likely to be rough and high to phenomenal on June 15. Fishermen are strictly advised not to venture into the sea till 15 June.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a video conference with the districts from the State Emergency Operation Center and took stock of the situation. Nine ministers will be responsible for disaster management guidance to operators of coastal districts and will remain in the disaster for three days. The state government has coordinated the assistance of the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and Army if required during this potential disaster and these agencies are also on standby for disaster management. A total of seven teams of NDRF have been deployed in Rajkot, Kutch, Morbi, Jamnagar, and Dwarka and 3 teams have been kept on standby in Vadodara. 12 teams of SDRF are also deployed and ready to reach the areas as and when required.