Kutch (Gujarat): Amid the cyclone alert in the state of Gujarat, officials at Deendayal Port Authority in Kandla at Gujarat's Kutch have started shifting people from low-lying areas to temporary shelters. They have been asked to be on alert in case of any emergency situation.
Orange alert- Orange Cyclone Alert for Saurashtra and Kutch Coast was issued by the meteorology office. ESCS BIPARJPY at 0530IST of today over eastcentral & adjoining NE Arabian Sea near lat 19.2N & long 67.7E, about 380km SSW of Devbhumi Dwarka. To cross near Jakhau Port, Gujarat by noon of 15 June(sic), a tweet from the Weather office read.
Evacuation-Authorities have been evacuating people from districts along the Saurasthra-Kutch coasts. The cyclonic storm has brought the fishing activities to a grinding halt along Gujarat's south and north coasts. Until Monday morning, around 1,300 people have been shifted to safer places in Devbhumi Dwarka which is in the path of the storm.
Sources said the Bhupendra-led government is seized of the issue and is bracing up to face the cyclone. The government has imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), in coastal areas of Kutch district. District administration were actively involved in evacuating people who are living close to the sea in Saurashtra-Kutch regions.
Amid hoisting warning signals, fishermen were advised not to venture into the central Arabian Sea till June 15, and north Arabian Sea on Monday. Fishermen who are out at sea were asked to return to the nearest safe coast. Meanwhile, the Centre has directed the state government to evacuate people from seven districts - Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagadh and Morbi.
Wind speed to clock 190 kmph- The weather office has predicted that the storm to surge about 2-3 metres above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate low lying areas in the above districts during the time of landfall, and wind speed may reach up to 190 kmph in the sea.
The wind speed of up to 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph from the morning of June 15 is forecast by the weather office when the cyclone makes landfall in Saurashtra Kutch region. It stated that sea conditions are likely to remain rough to very rough till the evening of Wednesday, and high to phenomenal thereafter till the noon of June 15 before it improves.
Ships leave Gujarat port- Om Prakash, the Public Relations Officer of Deendayal Port Authority, in Gujarat's Kandla said that six ships have left the port and 11 more will be departing tomorrow. "Six ships left the port today and 11 more ships will depart tomorrow. Port officials and ship owners have been asked to remain alert. Those staying in low-lying areas of Kandla are being moved to temporary shelters in Gandhidham," the PRO said.
Notably, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has given a cyclone alert for Saurashtra and Kutch coasts in Gujarat. "Cyclone Alert for Saurashtra & Kutch Coast: Yellow Message. ESCS BIPARJOY over eastcentral Arabian Sea, at 2330 IST of 11th Jun near lat 18.9N & long 67.7E, Likely to cross between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) by noon of 15th June," the IMD had said earlier in a tweet.
CM reviews Biparjoy preparedness-Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reviewed the disaster management and preparedness ahead of the Cyclone Biparjoy's landfall with the District Collectors of coastal Gujarat through video conference from the State Emergency Operation Center in Gandhinagar.
The CM suggested the Collectors to ensure the supply of essential items like electricity, water, and medicines in case of damaged. He also underscored the need for making necessary arrangements including teams, pumping machines, and generators for restoration of emergency services.
The state government has requested the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Army to be on standby to tackle the impact, if any, of the cyclone. Seven teams of NDRF have been deployed already while three teams are kept on standby. 12 teams of SDRF have also been kept ready to be dispatched to needed areas.
