IMD issues orange alert as Biparjoy weakens into ‘very severe’ cyclonic storm; 7,500 people moved

Cyclone Biparjoy update: Extremely severe cyclonic storm 'Cyclone Biparjoy' weakened into a very severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

According to the weather service, the cyclone is moving north at a speed of five kilometres per hour and is centred about 290 kilometres southwest of Gujarat's Porbandar. On Thursday, it is predicted to pass across Gujarat's Saurashtra and Kutch regions, as well as the neighbouring Pakistan coasts.

The weather service issued an orange alert for the Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat, stating, “VSCS Biparjoy lay centred at 0230 IST of the 13th June, 2023 over Northeast and adjoining Eastcentral Arabian Sea about 290 km southwest of Porbandar & 360 km south-southwest of Jakhau Port. To cross Saurashtra & Kutch near Jakhau Port by evening of 15th June as a VSCS.”

According to the IMD, the cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall in southwest Rajasthan on June 16.

As a precautionary measure in light of Cyclone Biparjoy, CPRO Western Railway cancelled 67 trains on Monday. Along with this, Western Railways is taking various safety and security precautions for rail passengers in possible locations under its jurisdiction.

As a preventive measure against the Cyclone, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed four extra teams to Gujarat, two more than the existing three teams in Mumbai. The NDRF further stated that a team of approximately 22 rescuers has been deployed in the Diu coastline area since Saturday.

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