Cyclone Biparjoy makes landfall in Gujarat | Updates

At least 22 people were injured, while electric poles and trees were uprooted in Gujarat, officials said.

In addition to this, 23 animals have also been killed and heavy rains coupled with gusty winds brought down over 524 trees and electric poles at various places in Gujarat, snapping the supply of power to around 940 villages, they said.

- ANI

Cyclone Biparjoy has caused complete disruption of normal life in Gujarat’s Kutch district as trees were uprooted in large numbers, power failure was reported in many areas, and low-lying areas near the sea were flooded.

A total power blackout was witnessed in Mandvi town. Many trees were uprooted on Jakhau-Mandvi road as well as in Mandvi town due to the strong winds.

- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel over the phone on Thursday night and enquired about the situation in the State.

Among other things, the PM sought to know the steps taken by the State administration for the safety of wild animals, especially the lions in the Gir forest.

“PM Modi held a telephonic conversation with me and took all the details about the current situation of Gujarat following the landfall of cyclone Biparjoy. He also enquired about the steps taken by the government for the safety of all wild animals, including the lions of Gir Forest,” Mr. Patel tweeted.

- PTI

As cyclone Biparjoy brought heavy rains, cattle-rearer duo of father and son died while trying to save their goats stuck in a flooded ravine in Bhavnagar district.

Following a spell of rain since morning, water started flowing in a ravine passing through Bhandar village near Sihor town, said Mamlatdar (revenue official) S.N. Vala.

“Due to the sudden inflow of water, a herd of goats got stuck in the ravine. To save the animals, 55-year old Ramji Parmar and his son Rakesh Parmar (22) entered the ravine. However, they got swept away in the waters. Their bodies were fished out some distance away,” said Vala, adding that 22 goats and a sheep also died.

No cyclone-related death was reported otherwise in the state, officials said.

- PTI

The Western Railway on Thursday announced cancellation of a few more trains as a precautionary measure in view of cyclone Biparjoy over the next three days.

A release from the WR said it has cancelled 23 more trains, `short-terminated’ (terminated before the usual destination) three trains and `short-originated’ (where trains start their journey from a station farther from the usual starting point) seven trains as a precautionary measure.

So far, 99 trains have been cancelled, 39 short-terminated while 38 trains have been short-originated due to the cyclone, the WR said.

-PTI

The Indian Air Force’s assets are in operational readiness for relief and rescue work that would follow Cyclone Biparjoy’s landfall, the IAF said.

“IAF assets in operational readiness for relief and rescue operations that would follow the landfall of Cyclone Biparjoy. IAF is committed to assisting fellow citizens to tackle contingencies that arise due to the cyclone,” the IAF tweeted earlier in the day.

According to officials, 15 teams of the National Disaster Response Force, 12 teams of the State Disaster Response Force as well as personnel of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Coast Guard and Border Security Force have been deployed for relief and rescue operations.

- PTI

t least three people were injured in incidents of treefall in Gujarat’s Devbhoomi Dwarka district as cyclone Biparjoy made landfall with destructive wind speed and incessant rains on Kutch coast on Thursday evening, officials said.

Many trees and electricity poles were uprooted near Jakhau and Mandvi towns in Kutch district while tin sheets used in house construction were blown away.

Until 7 pm there had been no report of death, said Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi.

- PTI

As cyclone Biparjoy makes landfall, heavy rains accompanied by strong winds sweep coastal districts of Saurashtra and Kutch. Wind speed expected to further intensify until landfall completion.

Heavy rainfall, accompanied by strong winds, continues in Morbi as an impact of Cyclone Biparjoy

Biparjoy landfall commences in Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat, process to last until midnight, says IMD.

- PTI

Rear Admiral Kunal Rajkumar, Chief Staff Officer, OPS, Western Naval command said, “We’re expecting winds of approximately 130 km per hour, with heavy rainfall in the northern Gujarat area, naval stations in the Gujarat area are ready with over 25 specialist teams. These teams comprise diverse medical specialists, good swimmers along with equipment like portable chain sets, cutting tools that are very useful in removal of debris and fallen trees.”

The `wall cloud’ region of cyclone Biparjoy touched the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat on June 15 evening as it headed for landfall near Jakhau port in the state’s Kutch district, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The landfall process will commence in the evening and carry on till midnight, the IMD said in its latest bulletin.

The cyclone lay 80 km west-southwest of Jakhau port and packed winds of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph, it said.

The cyclone, which moved east-north eastward towards Gujarat coast with a speed of 12 kmph in the past six hours, will make landfall between Mandvi in Kutch district and Karachi in Pakistan near Jakhau port between Saurashtra-Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts, the IMD has said.

- PTI

The Indian Coast Guard said that 15 Ships were kept ready in multiple configurations, seven aircraft in SAR role for rescue operations in the sea, 23 disaster relief teams with 29 gemini boats, 50 OBMs (Out Board Motor) for boats 1000 lifejackets and 200 lifebuoys, formed up in the ICG stations for aid to civil authorities.

As cyclone Biparjoy threatens to cripple communication networks after landfall on the Gujarat coast, authorities have turned to HAM radio for smooth exchange of information.

Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) has deployed six HAM radio teams, two of them in Kutch, and mobile units for seamless communication after Biparjoy hits the shore near Jakhau port.

HAM radio is considered a reliable mode of messaging during emergencies when wirelines, mobile phones and other traditional terrestrial means of communication fail. Also known as ‘amateur radio’, HAM radio involves the use of radio frequency spectrum for non-commercial exchange of messages.

More than 90,000 people shifted to shelters in Gujarat ahead of the landfall of severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy at Kutch coast. Red alert sounded in six coastal districts of Kutch and Saurashtra.

The cyclone Biparjoy is very likely to move northeastwards and cross Saurashtra & Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by tonight. The cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph. - India Meteorological Department

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is supporting the government of Pakistan’s efforts to prepare for and respond to the public health impact of Cyclone Biparjoy. WHO has prepositioned essential emergency medicines in Sindh, including oral rehydration salts (ORS), aqua tabs, and essential medicine, to assist vulnerable communities affected by the cyclone by ensuring uninterrupted access to health care and limiting the spread of infectious diseases.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has asked media organisations, including television channels, on Thursday to take “abundant precaution” while deploying their personnel to cover Cyclone Biparjoy to ensure their safety. The government, the advisory said, is “deeply concerned” that such ground reporting may risk the lives of the personnel deployed.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a review meeting at the State Emergency Operation Center in Gandhinagar on Thursday morning regarding Cyclone Biparjoy. Preparations for protection against the cyclone are in full swing at the Gujarat coasts. Various district authorities have provided updates regarding evacuation measures and shelter home provisions in the districts.

All armed forces including the Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard have made necessary preparation to provide assistance to the local people of Gujarat.

“Indian Army has deployed more than 27 relief columns across Gujarat at Bhuj, Jamnagar, Gandhidam as well as at the forward locations of Mandvi and Dwarka. Army authorities have also jointly started relief operations along with civil administration as well as with the NDRF teams”, Ministry of Defence Spokesperson in Gujarat, Wing Commander N. Manish said.

The coastal regions of Pakistan were on high alert with over 67,000 people being evacuated to safer places in the southern Sindh province ahead of Cyclone Biparjoy’s expected landfall. The cyclone is expected to make landfall between Keti Bandar Port in Sindh’s Thatta district and Kutch district in India.

UAE astronaut Sultan Al-Neyadi captured the formation of Cyclone Biparjoy in the Arabian Sea from space. The Arab astronaut, who is currently at the International Space Station, posted breathtaking pictures and a video of the formation of the Cyclone that will make landfall in Gujarat on June 15.

📸: @Astro_Alneyadi

Fisher colony in Rupen Bandar in Gujarat’s Dwarka district evacuated ahead of the expected landfall of Cyclone Biparjoy later today. - PTI