11th June 2023, Mumbai: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for an extremely cyclonic storm named Biparjoy, which is expected to affect the Saurashtra and Kutch Coasts in Gujarat. According to the IMD, Cyclone Biparjoy is projected to move northward until the morning of June 14. It will then likely shift in a north-northeast direction, crossing Saurashtra, Kutch, and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) around noon on June 15. The cyclone is anticipated to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph and gusts up to 150 kmph.
With the approach of Cyclone Biparjoy, the IMD has issued a heavy rainfall warning for several districts in Gujarat. Areas including Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh, and Morbi are expected to experience heavy downpours on June 14. IMD predicts that the intensity of rainfall will increase, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places in Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, and Jamnagar. Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi, and Junagarh districts of Saurashtra and Kutch are also likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Additionally, the IMD forecasts a gradual decline in maximum temperatures by 4-6 degrees Celsius over the next 4-5 days. The Met Department has issued a warning for fishermen and advised a total suspension of fishing operations in the East-Central and adjoining West-Central Arabian Sea until June 15. Fishing activities in the north and adjoining central Arabian Sea are also advised to be suspended from June 12 to June 15.
Meanwhile, parts of Western India, including Konkan and Goa, are bracing for heavy rainfall due to the influence of the extremely severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy. While the cyclone is not expected to make landfall in Gujarat, it is predicted to pass at a distance of 200 to 300 km from the Porbandar coast. IMD officials have warned of heavy downpours in these regions over the next 24 hours.
As the cyclonic storm Biparjoy approaches, authorities and residents in the affected areas are urged to stay vigilant, follow safety protocols, and stay updated with the latest information from the IMD and local authorities. Precautionary measures should be taken to mitigate the potential impacts of heavy rainfall and strong winds associated with the cyclone.
Article by PRITESH PATEL