The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Biparjoy will intensify into an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS) on Sunday. The cyclone is reportedly moving northwards with a speed of 5 kmph.
A tweet posted by the IMD on Sunday morning read: "VSVS Biparjoy over eastcentral Arabian Sea at 0230 hours IST of 11th June, 2023, about 510 km south-southwest of Porbandar. To intensify into an ESCS during next 06 hours. To reach near Pakistan and adjoining Saurashtra & Kutch coasts around afternoon of 15th June, 2023 as a VSCS."
The cyclone may not hit Gujarat as per the current forecast but will bring thunderstorms and strong wind in the western state for the next five days as it passes at 200-300 km from the Porbandar coast, an IMD official said on Saturday. Coastal districts such as Porbandar and Kutch and Jamnagar will witness winds gusting to 60 kmph and increasing to 75 kmph.
"As it approaches, the port signal warning will be changed accordingly. For now, the cyclone is likely to pass from a distance of 200-300 km from Porbandar and 200 km from Nalia (Kutch). As far as the current forecast is concerned, it is not likely to hit Gujarat," director of the Ahmedabad IMD (India Meteorological Department) centre, Manorama Mohanty told on Saturday.
Despite the cyclone not touching Gujarat coast, the authorities have taken all steps to meet any adversities. Authorities have dispatched teams of the National Disaster Response Force to the districts of Porbandar, Gir Somnath and Valsad.
The Indian Coast Guard has commenced an outreach to advise the fishing community, seafarers and stakeholders of Gujarat, Daman and Diu to take requisite precautions and safety measures. The ICG units are communicating regular advisories to vessels at sea through ships, aircraft & RADAR stations.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has put the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan on alert despite the authorities being unsure of the cyclone's track in the coming days. The country's weather department has also predicted "rain-thunderstorm with some heavy falls and squally winds in the Sindh-Makran coast from June 13 evening/night onwards," reported Express Tribune.
The Karachi Port Trust has issued a 'red alert' in view of the cyclone as it was estimated to be roughly 900 kilometres due south of the city.
In a statement, the port authorities said that the shipping activities will remain suspended in case of strong winds above 25 nautical miles. It further said that the movement of cargo ships will remain suspended if the wind speed is above 35 nautical miles.
(With inputs from PTI)