“The IMD has predicted that it (Cyclone Biparjoy) will turn into a depression by 12 pm tomorrow (June 16), and its speed will decrease to less than 40 km/hour. There is a possibility of minimal damage,” says NDRF IG Narendra Singh Bundela.
The very severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy has touched Jakhou port area of Gujarat. However, the eye of the storm is still 50 km away and will have a speed of 115 to 125kmph when it makes landfall in the middle of the night in the next five hours.
According to the Meteorological Department, The landfall of cyclonic storm Biparjoy is going to happen near Jakhow Port between Karachi, Pakistan, and Mandvi, Kutch. Currently, the process of landfall is going on. The outer line of the storm is currently collapsing. Its effect is likely to remain for the next five hours. Later, the impact of the storm will gradually diminish and also overtake. Due to the storm, there is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rains over Kutch from tonight to tomorrow afternoon. Heavy to very heavy rain may also occur at Mandvi, Mundra, and Kandla ports of Kutch.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force has intensified rescue operations in the wake of cyclone Biparjoy. A total of 19 NDRF teams have been deployed in nine coastal districts Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Morbi, Porbandar, Girsomanath, Junagadh, Rajkot and Valsad, and one Union Territory of Diu. NDRF team-6 evacuated 72 civilians including 32 men, 25 women, and 15 children to a safe place from the low-lying area of Rupen Port. Affected civilians were sheltered ar NDH school, Dwarka.
12 SDRF teams have also been deployed and one SDRF team has been maintained in seven coastal districts (Kutch, Devbhumidwarka, Jamnagar, Morbi, Porbandar, Girsomanath, Junagadh) and Patan, Banaskantha, and Surat.
4317 hoardings installed in various areas in eight districts of Saurashtra have been removed in advance keeping in mind the storm, rain, and wind force, so that loss of life and property can be avoided. Currently, 1521 shelter homes have been taken up in these eight districts. Regular visits are being made to the shelter homes by the medical team, and proper health checks are being carried out on the displaced people.
Next five hours will be challenging for Kutch and Saurashtra as there will be heavy to very heavy rains and strong winds will blow along with the landfall. The entire Jakhau port has been evacuated. Heavy rain in some villages of Bhachau, Rapar, Gandhidham, Bhuj, Mandvi, Nakhtrana, Lakhpat, and Abdasa blocks. The administration is on special alert in the coastal belt areas of Kutch and Saurastra. Control rooms are ready to deal with the situation at the state level and district levels.