Biparjoy turns east, rain to hit Saurashtra-Kutch

AHMEDABAD: The change in course of the 'very severe cyclone', Cyclone Biparjoy, has brought it closer to Gujarat coast. While Biparjoy is not likely to make landfall on the Gujarat coast, the eastward pivot means it is more likely to produce heavy rain and strong winds in Saurashtra and Kutch, Met department officials said. The cyclone is likely to pass 200-300km away from Porbandar, they added.
On Saturday evening, the eye of the cyclone was 580km south-southwest of Porbandar. 'It is very likely to intensify further into an extremely severe cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours. It is likely to move north-northeastwards in the next 24 hours and then gradually north-northwestwards in the subsequent three days,' states the India meteorological department (IMD) forecast.
The state administration has made preparations along the coast to ensure fishermen are brought back, the coastal areas are clear and dangerous structures or installations are taken down to prevent loss of life. Several NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed along the coast.
According to the IMD forecast, squally winds of about 35-45 kmph are expected on the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts on June 10, which will increase to 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph on June 11, 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph on June 12 and 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph from June 13 to 15. The sea is likely to be very rough from June 10 to 15.
On June 11 and 12, most of South Gujarat and coastal districts of Saurashtra are likely to receive rain. On June 13 and 14, all parts of the state are likely to receive rain, the forecast states.
Many parts of the state experienced cloudy and windy weather on Friday. Due to the effect of the cyclone, Subir in Dang received 23mm of rain from 4pm to 6pm, Ahwa 7mm, Jamnagar 2mm and Veraval 2mm. One person, identified as Shaktisinh Gohil, died after being struck by lightning on the outskirts of Amra village near Jamnagar. The maximum temperature in Ahmedabad was low at 39.4°C, which was 0.1 degrees lower than normal. At 28.5 degrees, the minimum temperature was 0.6 degrees higher than normal. According to the IMD forecast, maximum temperatures are likely to fall by two-four degrees from Monday.