Cyclone Biparjoy intensifies into extremely severe cyclonic storm: IMD

Cyclone Biparjoy: Cyclone Biparjoy has strengthened into an "extremely severe cyclonic storm" and is expected to make landfall along the Saurashtra-Kutch coast on June 15, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The cyclone, previously categorized as a very severe cyclonic storm, is predicted to cross over into Pakistan as a very severe cyclonic storm.

As of Sunday morning, Cyclone Biparjoy was located approximately 480 kilometers south-southwest of Porbandar, 530 kilometers south-southwest of Dwarka, and 610 kilometers south-southwest of Naliya in Kutch. The IMD reported that the cyclone intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm at 5:50 am on Sunday.

The IMD tweeted that Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to cross the Saurashtra-Kutch coast, between Mandvi in Gujarat and Karachi in Pakistan, around noon on June 15 as a very severe cyclonic storm. In its advisory, the IMD stated that wind speeds along the Saurashtra-Kutch coast would reach 40-50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph during the day. These speeds are anticipated to increase to 45-55 kmph with gusts up to 65 kmph on Monday, and further to 50-60 kmph with gusts up to 70 kmph on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"VSCS BIPARJOY lay centered at 2330IST of today, near lat 17.4N and long 67.3E, about 600 km WSW of Mumbai, 530 km S-SW of Porbandar & 830 km S of Karachi. To intensify further and likely to reach near Pakistan & adjoining Saurashtra & Kutch coast around A/N of 15th June as VSCS," IMD tweeted.

By Thursday, the IMD forecasts squally wind speeds of 55-65 kmph, gusting to 75 kmph, along the Saurashtra coast. The sea conditions along the Saurashtra-Kutch coasts are expected to be rough to very rough until Wednesday, and then become very rough to high on Thursday.

In light of the approaching cyclone, the IMD has advised a complete suspension of fishing operations in the region until June 15. Fishermen have been warned against venturing into the central and north Arabian Sea from June 12 to 15, as well as along the Saurashtra-Kutch coasts until June 15. Additionally, individuals currently at sea are urged to return to the coast and regulate their offshore and onshore activities judiciously.

The IMD has advised state governments to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate precautionary measures. District authorities have been alerted accordingly. It is crucial for the concerned authorities to remain vigilant and ensure the safety of the affected areas in the face of Cyclone Biparjoy's impending landfall.

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