Severe Cyclonic Storm “Biparjoy” to Hit Saurashtra & Kutch Coasts

New Delhi, June 14, 2023 – The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a bulletin warning of the approach of a very severe cyclonic storm named “Biparjoy” (pronounced as “Biporjoy”) over the Northeast Arabian Sea. The cyclone is expected to make landfall along the Saurashtra & Kutch coasts and adjoining areas of Pakistan.

According to the bulletin (ARB/01/2023) issued by the IMD at 0545 hours IST today, the storm is currently moving nearly north-northwestwards with a speed of 5 kmph. At 0230 hours IST, it was centered near latitude 21.7°N and longitude 66.3°E, about 290 km southwest of Jakhau Port (Gujarat) and 370 km south-southwest of Karachi (Pakistan).

The cyclone is projected to continue moving nearly north-northeastwards and is expected to cross the Saurashtra & Kutch coasts between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan), near Jakhau Port (Gujarat), by the evening of June 15. It is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph.

The IMD has provided a forecast track and intensity chart for the cyclone, indicating its projected position and wind speeds at different time intervals. The bulletin also includes warnings and actions suggested for various regions and sectors likely to be affected by the cyclone.

The bulletin warns of heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy falls, over several districts of Gujarat, including Kachchh, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh, and Morbi, on June 14. The intensity of rainfall is expected to increase on June 15, affecting additional districts of Gujarat and parts of north Gujarat and south Rajasthan on June 16.

Strong winds are also a concern, with gale wind speeds reaching 150-160 kmph, gusting to 180 kmph, over the Northeast Arabian Sea. These winds are expected to gradually weaken, becoming 45-55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, by the morning of June 16. Along the Saurashtra & Kutch coasts, wind speeds are predicted to reach 125-135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph, during a 12-hour period on June 15.

The IMD has advised fishermen to suspend their operations in the affected areas until June 15 and has urged people in the cyclone’s path to remain indoors and follow precautionary measures. Ports, railways, and road traffic are advised to take necessary precautions, and evacuation efforts are recommended in coastal areas.

The bulletin concludes by stating that the IMD will continue to monitor the cyclone closely, with the next message scheduled to be issued at 0830 hours IST today.

The impending cyclone poses a significant threat to the regions it is expected to impact, and authorities are taking necessary steps to ensure the safety of the affected areas and populations.