Dwarka: Cyclone “Biparjoy” has strengthened into an “extremely severe cyclonic storm and is expected to hit the coastal areas between the Kutch district of Gujarat in India and Karachi in Pakistan on June 15, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) today. The IMD has issued a cyclone warning for the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts.

According to the IMD bulletin, “The extremely severe cyclonic storm “Biparjoy” in the east-central Arabian Sea has moved north-northeastwards at a speed of 8 km/h in the past 6 hours. As of 0300 UTC on June 11, 2023, it is centered over the same region near latitude 18.0°N and longitude 67.6°E. The storm is located about 560 km west of Mumbai, 460 km south-southwest of Porbandar, 510 km south-southwest of Devbhumi Dwarka, 600 km south-southwest of Naliya, and 770 km south of Karachi (Pakistan).”

“The storm is expected to continue moving nearly northward until the morning of the 14th, after which it will shift to a north-northeastward direction. It is forecasted to make landfall between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) during the period of 0600-0900 UTC on the 15th of June. At that time, it is anticipated to be a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 km/h, gusting up to 150 km/h,” the bulletin said.

“At that time, the cyclonic storm is expected to be classified as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 km/h, gusting up to 150 km/h,”the bulletin further said.

The IMD bulletin also said that “Sea conditions likely to be rough to very rough till 14th evening and high to phenomenal thereafter till 15th June noon and improve thereafter.”

Heavy Rainfall warning for Gujarat (Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts):

~ Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts of Saurashtra & Kutch on 14th June.

~ The intensity of rainfall would increase with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka & Jamnagar and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi & Junagarh districts of Gujarat on 15th June.

~ Isolated heavy rainfall is very likely over remaining districts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat region on 15th June.

Wind warning along & off Saurashtra & Kutch coasts (Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts) including Gulf of Kutch:

~ Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph on 11th June, 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph during 12th and becoming 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph from 13th to evening of 14 th June.

~ Gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph very likely to prevail from 14 th June evening and becoming 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph from 15th morning for subsequent 12 hours.

~ Squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph very likely to prevail along & off remaining districts Saurashtra coast on 14th & 15th June.

Fishermen Warning & Action Suggested (Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts) and for Offshore & Onshore Industries

~ Total suspension of fishing operations over o eastcentral and adjoining westcentral Arabian Sea till 15 th June.

o north and adjoining central Arabian Sea during 12th -15 th June

~ Fishermen are advised not to venture into: o Central Arabian Sea till 15 th June.

~ North Arabian Sea during 12th -15 th June.

~ Those out at sea are advised to return to coast.

~ Judicious regulation of offshore and onshore activities.

~ Mobilise evacuation from coastal areas.

~ Judicious regulation of rail and road traffic.

~ People in affected areas to remain indoors.

~ Movement in motor boats and small ships all & off these coasts to be avoided.

Damage expected over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Morbi & Junagarh & Rajkot districts of Gujarat on 15th June:

~  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. Minor disruption of railways, overhead power lines and signalling systems.

~ Widespread damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards, falling of green coconuts and tearing of palm fronds. Blowing down of bushy trees like mango.

~ Small boats, country crafts may get detached from moorings.

~ Visibility severely affected.