Kutch: The intensity of Cyclone Biparjoy, which hit the Saurashtra-Kutch region of Gujarat yesterday evening, has decreased from a “very severe” to a “severe” category after making landfall.

“By today noon, the intensity of the cyclone will reduce, and it will weaken into a cyclonic storm and will convert into a depression by the same evening,” said Manorama Mohanty, MET Director, as she gave an update on the cyclone.

Cyclone Biparjoy brought destructive winds of up to 140 kmph and heavy rainfall, causing uprooted trees, damaged electricity poles, and flooding in low-lying villages.

According to the NDRF, a total of 442 villages were affected by the cyclone. Two people lost their lives (one in Porbandar and one in Rajkot) in the pre-landfall period, and 23 were injured amidst the cyclone.

To address the situation, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) deployed 19 and 12 teams, respectively, for relief and rescue operations. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reviewed the situation and the ongoing operations at the State Emergency Operation Centre in Gandhinagar.

The landfall of the cyclone, initially categorised as a “very severe cyclonic storm,” began in the evening along the Saurashtra-Kutch coast and concluded after midnight. During the landfall, the wind speed ranged from 115–125 kmph, gusting up to 140 kmph. DeshGujarat

🗃️ This story is from our archives and may contain outdated information.