Gandhinagar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts due to the impending arrival of cyclone Biparjoy, which is projected to reach Gujarat and southern areas of Pakistan on Thursday, June 15.

The IMD bulletin said that the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm “Biparjoy” over the Northeast Arabian Sea is located approximately 280 km west-southwest of Jakhau Port (Gujarat), 290 km west-southwest of Devbhumi Dwarka, 300 km west-southwest of Naliya, 350 km west-northwest of Porbandar, and 340 km south-southwest of Karachi (Pakistan).

It is highly probable that the cyclonic storm will move in a northeastern direction and cross the Saurashtra & Kutch regions, as well as the adjacent coasts of Pakistan, between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by the evening of 15th June. This storm is expected to be of the very severe category, with a maximum sustained wind speed ranging from 125-135 kmph and gusts reaching up to 150 kmph.

Heavy Rainfall warning

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

~ 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 Kachchh, Devbhumi Dwarka & Jamnagar and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi & Junagarh districts of Gujarat and Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over remaining districts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat region on 15^th

~ Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over north Gujarat and adjoining south Rajasthan on 16^th and southeast Rajasthan & adjoining North Gujarat region on 17^th

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

~ Gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph will prevail along & off Porbandar & Devbhoomi Dwarka district coasts from forenoon of today, the 14^th

~ It would gradually increase becoming gale wind speed reaching 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph during 15^th forenoon to night along & off Kachchh, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts. Thereafter, it would decrease gradually becoming 85-95 kmph gusting to 105 kmph over Kachchh and adjoining districts of Saurashtra & Kutch by 16^th early morning and squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph by 16^th

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

 

Wind Warning for South Rajasthan

~ Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is likely over South Rajasthan during 16^th noon to evening and 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph till mid-night of 16^th

Sea condition

Sea condition will be phenomenal over northeast Arabian Sea till 15^th evening and rough to very rough over adjoining eastcentral Arabian Sea during the same period.

Along & off Saurashtra& Kutch coasts:

Sea condition is likely to be very rough till 14^th evening and high to phenomenal thereafter till 15^th June evening and would improve thereafter.

Storm Surge Warning (Kachchh, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagarh and Morbi districts)

Storm surge of about 2 -3 m above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate the low lying areas of above districts during the time of landfall. The astronomical tides along these districts could be upto 3-6 meters in different places.

Damage expected over Kachchh, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Morbi & Junagarh & Rajkot districts of Gujarat on 15^th 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. 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 due to salt spray.

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

Total suspension of fishing operations over eastcentral and adjoining Westcentral Arabian Sea till 15^th June and over northeast Arabian Sea during 14^th -15^th June

Those out at sea are advised to return to coast.

Judicious regulation of offshore and onshore activities.

Ports along the west coast of India may take necessary precautions.

Naval base operations may maintain necessary precautions.

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

Mobilise evacuation from coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch (Kachchh, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts).

Judicious regulation of rail and road traffic.

People in affected areas to remain indoors.

Tourism activities may be restricted over these areas.

Preparatory actions before the cyclones.