Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy

  Cyclone Biparjoy: How is Gujarat preparing to tackle the situation. 10 updates | Mint

With the approaching Cyclone 'Biparjoy' expected to make landfall near Jakhau port in Gujarat's Kutch district, evacuation operations will intensify on Tuesday.

According to PTI reports, the government is focused on evacuating residents within a 10 km radius of the coastal areas to guarantee their safety during Cyclone Biparjoy. Here are the top ten measures taken by the government to address the cyclone.

1. Authorities in the coastal districts of Kutch, Porbandar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Junagadh, and Morbi have started the process of shifting those living near the coastline. They said thousands of people residing in areas within 10 km from the shore will be moved to safer places from Tuesday.

“VSCS (very severe cyclonic storm) Biparjoy lay centred at 0230 IST of the 13th June, 2023 over Northeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea about 290 km southwest of Porbandar & 360 km south-southwest of Jakhau Port. To cross Saurashtra & Kutch near Jakhau Port by theevening of 15th June as a VSCS," India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its latest post. Thereafter, people living within a distance of 5 to 10 km from the coast will be moved to safer places, with priority to be given to children, pregnant women and the elderly.

2. A total of 12 teams each of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed in the districts that are likely to be affected by the cyclone and arrangements have been made for the accommodation, food and medicine of the evacuated people.

3. Indian Railways has taken necessary precautions by activating their disaster management room and establishing emergency control rooms in multiple districts of Gujarat to ensure uninterrupted rail operations during the approaching Cyclone Biparjoy. 

4. According to Shivaji Sutar, the Director of Information and Publication Railway Board, the railway authorities have taken proactive steps to address any potential emergency situation during Cyclone Biparjoy. They have deployed an ample number of personnel and machinery, adequately prepared to handle any contingencies that may arise.

5. Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting to review the preparedness for Cyclone Biparjoy. The Prime Minister has instructed senior officers to undertake all necessary measures to ensure the safe evacuation of residents residing in vulnerable areas by the State Government. Additionally, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining essential services, including power, telecommunications, healthcare, and drinking water, and restoring them promptly in the event of any damage caused by the cyclone.

6. India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed that Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to cross Saurashtra and Kutch between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by noon of June 15 as a very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 145 kmph.

7. Indian Railways has made adjustments to its train services heading to coastal Gujarat. A total of 67 trains have either been shortened or cancelled for the next three days. The Western Railway has implemented several precautionary measures, such as establishing disaster management rooms, help desks, and ensuring the availability of relief trains, as stated in an official statement.

8. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued an Orange alert for Saurashtra and Kutch coasts in Gujarat as the cyclonic storm Biparjoy is set to cross the Jakhau Port in Gujarat by the evening of June 15 as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS).

9. IMD said, “Cyclone Warning for Saurashtra and Kutch Coasts: Orange Message. VSCS BIPARJOY at 0530IST of today about 300km WSW of Porbandar, 290km SW of Devbhumi Dwarka, 340km SSW of Jakhau Port, 350km SSW of Naliya. To cross near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by the evening of 15th June as VSCS."

9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday had a telephonic conversation with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel regarding the status and preparedness for impending Cyclone Biparjoy. "Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi received details regarding the status of Cyclone Biparjoy in Gujarat and the preparedness of the system through a telephonic conversation. He assured to provide all possible help to Gujarat in this situation of disaster," the Gujarat CM said in a tweet.

10. By Monday evening, more than 8,000 people had been moved to temporary cyclone shelters as a precautionary measure in Gujarat. Schools have also been ordered shut in the six coastal districts.