The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert on Wednesday as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Biparjoy barrels towards the Kutch coast in Gujarat, ahead of the landfall expected on Thursday.
The latest IMD alert posted on Twitter read: "Cyclone Warning for Saurashtra and Kutch Coasts: RED MESSAGE. VSCS BIPARJOY at 0530IST of today over NE Arabian Sea near lat 21.9N & long 66.3E, about 280km WSW of Jakhau Port (Gujarat), 290km WSW of Devbhumi Dwarka. To cross near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by evening of 15June as VSCS."
The weather agency had warned that the cyclone could cause extensive damage and result in extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm) at isolated places in Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts. "Usually these areas do not receive such massive rainfall. Therefore, it can lead to flooding in low-lying areas," IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told reporters on Tuesday.
The weather agency has also warned of a storm surge despite Biparjoy losing some of its intensity. Experts warn that the cyclone could pick up force again and come barrelling down on Gujarat. Ahead of the landfall, Gujarat is already witnessing high tidal waves on Wednesday morning.
The cyclone could also destroy thatched houses and cause extensive damage to kutcha houses in Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Morbi, Junagarh and Rajkot districts. The power supply can be disrupted and crops damaged.
Given the cyclone, the Railways had already cancelled around 95 trains running through, originating or terminating in coastal areas of Gujarat.
Meanwhile, the Gujarat government has said they have so far evacuated nearly 37,800 people living near the sea in eight districts. The officials have also identified over 400 shelter homes in Gujarat's Dwarka to house villagers from unsafe areas.
"More than 400 shelter homes have been identified in the Dwarka district and people are being shifted to shelter homes. PM took stock of the arrangements from concerned officials and ministers and directed them to be on alert mode and take all necessary steps," Union Minister Parshottam Rupala told ANI.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the state government's emergency operations centre on Tuesday night for a review of the preparedness, it said.
In a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked the Gujarat government to make arrangements for moving people living in sensitive places to safer locations and ensure all necessary services like electricity, telecommunication, health and drinking water, said an official statement.
