'Biparjoy' to cross Saurashtra-Kutch coast on June 15, has intensified into 'extremely severe cyclonic storm': IMD

The IMD has advised total suspension of fishing operations till June 15. It has also asked fishermen to not venture into central Arabian sea, north Arabian sea during June 12-15, and along and off Saurashtra-Kutch coasts till June 15.

Porbandar (Gujarat): The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday said that the very severe cyclonic storm 'Biparjoy' intensified into an "extremely severe cyclonic storm". The IMD also said 'Biparjoy' is likely to cross Saurashtra-Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts around the afternoon of June 15 as a "very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS)", the India Meteorological Department said on Sunday.

According to the IMD, the very severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy over east central Arabian Sea lay centred about 480 kilometres south-southwest of Porbandar, 530 km south-southwest of Dwarka and 610 km south-southwest of Naliya in Kutch in Gujarat on Sunday morning. "VSCS (very severe cyclonic storm) 'Biparjoy' intensified into an ESCS (extremely severe cyclonic storm) at 5:50 am on Sunday, about 480 km South-South West of Porbandar, 530 km South-South West of Dwarka and 610 km South-South West of Naliya.

"Bijarpoy will cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts bw Mandvi, Gujarat and Karachi, Pakistan around noon of June 15 as VSCS (very severe cyclonic storm)," the IMD said in Tweet. The IMD further issued an advisory in the early hours of Sunday and said during the day wind speeds will touch 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph along and off Saurashtra and Kutch coast. It will further increase to 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph on Monday, and 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph during Tuesday and Wednesday.

The IMD also said that on Thursday, squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph is very likely to prevail along and off Saurashtra coast. It added that the sea conditions along and off Saurashtra and Kutch coasts will likely remain "rough to very rough" till Wednesday, and very rough to high on Thursday.

In view of 'Biparjoy', the weather body has advised total suspension of fishing operations in the region till June 15 and has asked fishermen not to venture into the Central Arabian Sea, north Arabian Sea during June 12-15, and along and off Saurashtra-Kutch coasts till June 15. It further advised those out at sea to return to the coast and regulate offshore and onshore activities judiciously.

The IMD further said, "In view of the above, the state governments are advised to keep a close watch, monitor the situation in their areas regularly and take appropriate precautionary measures. District authorities are advised accordingly."