Biparjoy landfall: Fishing activities curbed, evacuation along Gujarat coasts begins

With cyclone Biparjoy likely to make landfall along the Saurashtra-Kutch coasts as a very severe cyclonic storm, fishing activities along Gujarat's south and north coasts have been suspended and authorities began evacuating people in districts by the sea, news agency PTI reported.

Officials in coastal Devbhumi Dwarka said around 1,300 people have been shifted to safer places so far in this regard.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to hold a meeting on Monday to review situation related to Cyclone Biparjoy.


The IMD predicts that the cyclone will move north until the morning of June 14, then veer north-northeast awards, crossing the coasts of Saurashtra & Kutch and adjacent Pakistan regions between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by noon on June 15. It is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph, gusting up to 150 kmph.

Heavy rainfall Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for several districts in Gujarat, including Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh, and Morbi. Beginning on June 14, these regions may experience moderate to heavy rainfall at most places, with isolated incidents of extremely heavy rainfall on June 15. Additional rainfall is expected over north Gujarat and adjoining south Rajasthan on June 16.

As the storm approaches, Gale wind speed of up to 175 kmph gusting to 195 kmph will likely hit the northeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea from June 12, decreasing slightly to 155 kmph gusting to 175 kmph by nightfall. Similar conditions are anticipated for June 13, with wind speeds gradually reducing until the evening of June 15.

Warning against sea travel Sea conditions are also expected to worsen significantly, with the IMD forecasting "phenomenal" conditions over the northeast and east-central Arabian Sea from June 12 to

The state government has begun preparations to deal with the fallout of the cyclone as it will bring very strong wind and heavy rainfall in the region, officials said.

Section 144, which bars assembly of persons higher than a figure mandated by authorities, has been imposed in coastal areas of Kutch district, with the local administration working to evacuate people from areas close to the sea in the districts in Saurashtra-Kutch regions, they added.

Warning signals have been hoisted along the coasts for fishermen, who have been advised not to venture into the central Arabian Sea till June 15, and north Arabian Sea on Monday, the officials said, adding fishermen out at sea have been advised to return to the coast.

The Centre has directed the state government to regulate onshore and offshore activities and mobilise evacuation from coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch from districts including Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagadh and Morbi.

The IMD has warned of wind speed of up to 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph from the morning of June 15 when the cyclone makes landfall in Saurashtra Kutch region.

Sea conditions are likely to remain rough to very rough till the evening of Wednesday, and high to phenomenal thereafter till the noon of June 15 before improving, it said.