Cyclone Biparjoy highlights: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel briefs PM Modi on cyclonic situation

Gujarat chief minister on Thursday night held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which he briefed the current situation in the view of Cyclone Biparjoy and said, “PM received complete details of the Biparjoy cyclone situation over Gujarat. He also expressed concern for the safety of wild animals including lions of Gir Forest and questioned the care arrangements for them.” 

He held a high-level meeting at the State Emergency Operation Center to review the disaster management performance of the system in the event of latest cyclone.

“I am in constant touch with coastal district administrations and getting details on disaster management and giving necessary directions,” Patel tweeted.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw held a live meeting at the 'war room' on Thursday in the wake of Cyclone Biparjoy and held discussions over railway tracks, OHE (overhead equipment) and other issues, ANI reported.

The Union minister instructed officials to remain strict over the matters of security and protection, and spoke with the officials regarding railway stations in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

As many as 99 trains were cancelled by railways on Thursday evening in view of the cyclonic storm 'Biparjoy'. The Railways also said that 39 trains were short terminated. 

The landfall of cyclone Biparjoy will continue till midnight. “There was no report of any loss of life so far in the state, though three persons were injured in Devbhoomi Dwarka district after a tree fell on them,” a state minister said.

NDRF IG Narendra Singh Bundela on cyclone preparedness said Thursday evening that “The IMD has predicted that it (Cyclone Biparjoy) will turn into a depression by 12 pm tomorrow (June 16), and its speed will decrease to less than 40 km/hour. There is a possibility of minimal damage."

The main impact will be in Gujarat's Kutch area and south area of Rajasthan. “Heavy rains are expected and chances of flood are also there,” said Narendra Singh Bundela, IG, NDRF on arrival of cyclone Biparjoy.

At 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.

IMD on Thursday evening updates its cyclone warning for Saurashtra & Kutch Coasts and said “Red message very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS) Biparjoy at 1930IST today near lat 23.0N and lon 68.3E about 40km SW of Jakhau Port (Gujarat),110km NW of Devbhumi Dwarka,” The landfall for the cyclone has commenced and is expected to continue till midnight.

Cyclone Biparjoy, which is expected to make landfall tonight near Gujarat's Jakhau Port is 50 km away from the port, IMD said.

CM Ashok Gehlot on cyclone preparations in Rajasthan said Thursday, “We are well prepared and are monitoring the situation. We have begun alerting the people of the state to act in accordance with the warning (given by the officials)."

The name ‘Biparjoy’ was given by Bangladesh. It means ‘calamity’ or ‘disaster’. Reportedly, the name was adopted by World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) countries in 2020. It also includes all the tropical cyclones that form over the North Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea as cyclones are named depending on the regional rules. Read our detailed report

As Cyclone Biparjoy's begins landfall, government has enabled mobile service portability for affected districts. Users can manually switch to any other telecom operator to stay connected if there is no service or there is a temporary disruption in the subscribed network. Here are the 5 steps

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel held a review meeting Thursday evening as cyclone Biparjoy made landfall in the state.

Heavy rainfall, accompanied by strong winds, continued in Morbi, Dwarka, Jamnagar and other districts in coastal Gujarat Thursday evening as an impact of cyclone Biparjoy.

The cyclone Biparjoy is now located about 70 kilometres away from Jakhau port in the Arabian Sea, said IMD.

The ancient Dwarkadish temple in Gujarat was closed on Thursday for visitors in view of cyclone Biparjoy.

On cyclone Biparjoy related preparedness, Rear Admiral Kunal Rajkumar, Chief Staff Officer, OPS, Western Naval command said Thursday “...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 Thursday evening as it headed for landfall near Jakhau port in the state's Kutch district, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Arabian Sea was always relatively cooler in comparison to the Bay of Bengal in the north Indian Ocean until it started undergoing a major change of character around four decades ago. Read the full story here.

Cyclone Biparjoy will bear down as ‘a very severe cyclonic storm’ in Gujarat's Jakhau Port by tonight. Ahead of its landfall, coastal towns in Gujarat faced heavy downpour and high tidal waves throwing normal life out of gear. Watch here.

Indian Coast Guard on preparedness off Gujarat coast for cyclone Biparjoy, said Thursday that as many as 15 Ships were ready in multiple configurations. “7 aircraft in SAR role for rescue ops 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,” they said.

Cyclone Biparjoy, expected to cross the Gujarat coast on June 15, is on course to become the cyclone with the longest lifespan in the Arabian Sea, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) data.

Weather agency warned Thursday evenign that the very severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy will make landfall tonight. “Saurashtra & Kutch Coasts under cyclone warning. Biparjoy, located at 22.8N and 67.9E, approximately 80km southwest of Jakhau Port (Gujarat) and 130km northwest of Devbhumi Dwarka. Landfall process will commence this evening near Jakhau Port and continue until midnight,” IMD said.