Devastating cyclone Biporjoy wreaks havoc, leaving destruction in its wake

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

More than 30,000 people were shifted to shelter homes by Tuesday as multiple government agencies mounted a feverish evacuation in Gujarat’s coastal districts of Saurashtra and Kutch, anticipating a catastrophic impact of cyclone Biparjoy that is expected to make landfall near the port of Jakhau on Thursday evening with winds of 125-135kmph gusting to 150kmph. Around 47,000 people evacuated from seven districts of Saurashtra and Kutch in the wake of cyclone Biparjoy in last couple of days.

As the system inched closer to the state, two more deaths were reported in the state, taking casualties due to stormy weather ahead of Biparjoy’s landfall to five.

The India Meteorological Department said, in line with the forecast, the cyclone weakened from an “extremely severe cyclonic storm” to a “very severe cyclonic storm” over northeastern Arabian Sea but will have “extensive damage potential” on entering the state.

IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the cyclone could lead to extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm) at isolated places in Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar and Porbandar.

The state government has launched an extensive relief and rescue operation. NDRF teams have been deployed in vulnerable areas to help evacuate people and provide relief. The government has also set up medical camps to provide necessary medical assistance. Along with the NDRF teams, the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Army and BSF are also on standby to provide assistance if required. The state government has urged people living in low-lying areas to move to safer locations as the cyclone is expected to cause flooding in some parts of the state due to heavy rainfall. People have been advised not to venture out during the cyclone and stay inside their homes unless absolutely necessary. The state government is doing everything it can to ensure that people remain safe during this difficult time.

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