Cyclone Biparjoy LIVE: Cyclone Just 140km from Gujarat's Jakhau Port, Will Make Landfall Tonight; Red Alert in Saurashtra and Kutch Coasts

According to the IMD (India Meteorological Department), over the next three hours, the following districts in Gujarat state, namely Dwarka, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Morbi, Rajkot, Junagadh, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Gir Somnath, and Kutch, are expected to experience moderate rainfall (5-15 mm/hour) along with light thunderstorms. The maximum surface wind speed is predicted to be less than 40 kmph in gusts.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a review meeting at the State Emergency Operation Center in Gandhinagar on Thursday morning regarding Cyclone Biparjoy.

As per IMD reports, the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, which is moving northeastward in the Arabian Sea, is predicted to cross and make landfall at the Jakhau Port in Kutch this evening.

The IMD issued a Red alert for the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts on Wednesday, saying that VSCS (Very Severe Cyclonic Storm) Biparjoy will cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi and Karachi near Jakhau Port by Thursday evening.

Warnings about extensive damage to temporary housing structures and falling of trees and branches due to high-speed winds, high tides and heavy rainfall have been given by India Meteorological Department.

Cyclone Warning Issued for Saurashtra and Kutch Coasts: RED ALERT. VSCS Biparjoy located at 08.30am today near latitude 22.6N and longitude 67.1E, approximately 170km west-southwest of Jakhau Port (Gujarat) and 210km west of Devbhumi Dwarka.

Expected to make landfall near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by this evening as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS).

Wind Speed at Different Locations:-

1. Gandhidham – 20 km/hr
2. Jamnagar – 16.9 km/hr
3. Bhuj – 18.4 km/hr
4. Dwarka – 57 km/hr
5. Morbi – 37 km/hr

Other incidents:

Dwarka: Two trees have fallen down . One at Railway colony and other one at Mazdoor Sangh.

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi reviews the situation at Gomti Ghat of Dwarka, as ‘Biparjoy’ approaches Gujarat coast to make landfall today evening.

Heavy rain and strong winds due to cyclone ‘Biporjoy’ hit Jamnagar as landfall is expected along Gujarat coast today evening.

The statement released by the government said: “From the perspective of the safety and security of the various reporters, cameramen and other personnel of the various media organizations, especially the private TV channels, it is strongly advised that media organizations may undertake abundant precaution and due care in the matter of deployment of their personnel in the areas likely to be affected and follow the precautions being issued by local the administration. And under no circumstances take decisions for deployment of such personnel in a way which may compromise the safety and security of the media personnel.”

In a tweet in Hindi, Mumbai Police warned of high waves today. The IMD has predicted high tides in the coastal areas of Mumbai.

The tweet added: “Anticipating the cyclone, the Mumbai administration is closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary precautions for the safety of the residents. Avoid going to sea/coastal areas during cyclone warning.”

More than 47,000 people shifted to shelter homes in the Kachchh district. All pregnant women moved to hospitals and other safe locations. Our aim is to ensure zero casualties. I appeal to people to remain safe at their respective locations and avoid travel: Gujarat Health Minister, Rushikesh Patel

Dr. Mrityunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the IMD, has advised that sea conditions in the northeast Arabian Sea will continue to be turbulent today due to the presence of Cyclone ‘Biparjoy’. As a precautionary measure, all fishing operations are recommended to be suspended. Furthermore, offshore activities, port and industrial operations, as well as oil explorations, should be regulated and closely monitored throughout the day.

Mandvi witnesses rough sea and strong winds as ‘Biparjoy’ approaches Gujarat coast to make landfall today evening.

Strong winds in the coastal town of Dwarka as ‘Biparjoy’ approaches Gujarat coast to make landfall today evening. Dwarka is expected to see extremely heavy rainfall today due to the cyclone.

Amit Arora, collector Kachchh, Gujarat said that the cyclone is expected to make landfall between 4-5pm today.

Taking on preparedness, he added that 46,000 people have been evacuated and shifted to shelter homes. Six NDRF, 3 RPF teams, 2 SDRF teams and 8 columns of Army are on standby.

“More than 20,000 animals have been taken to safer places. Adequate amount of food ration available at all shelter homes. 50 teams ready for road clearance,” he added.

Cyclone Biparjoy is less than 200 kilometres from the Gujarat coast and its impending landfall on Thursday evening, along with the anticipated heavy rain and storm surge, have led to the evacuation of 74,000 people living in vulnerable areas, authorities have said. The administration has shifted people from nearly 120 villages located between zero and 10 km from the seashore in Kutch district.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Biparjoy is expected to make landfall near Jakhau port as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum wind speed reaching up to 150 kilometres per hour.

Four Indian Navy ships with HADR bricks embarked are on standby at short notice. Five relief teams each at Porbandar and Okha and 15 relief teams at Valsura are on standby. Helos at INS Hansa in Goa and INS Shikra in Mumbai are also ready to leave for Gujarat, said the Indian Navy.