Cyclone Biparjoy Has Extensive Damaging Potential: IMD

As expected, Cyclone Biparjoy has weakened to a 'very severe cyclonic storm' but has extensive damaging potential when it makes landfall on Thursday, India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday.

According to the weather department, the cyclone is predicted to cross Saurashtra and Kutch in Gujarat and the adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi in Gujarat and Karachi in Pakistan near the Jakhau Port (Gujarat) around the evening of June 15 as a very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-150 kmph.

"Its damaging potential could be extensive," IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra was quoted saying by PTI.

The cyclone may bring extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm) at isolated places in Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar and Porbandar districts from June 13 to June 15.

"We won't be surprised if these areas record more than 25 cm of rainfall. Usually, they do not receive such intense precipitation at this time of the year. Therefore, there is a risk of flooding in the low-lying areas," he cautioned.

"Though its CDO (cloud dense overcast) has become a little asymmetric, it continues to be supported by the spiral banding. The storm is bravely battling the moderate vertical wind shear and is able to retain broad features. The storm had developed a microwave eye, indicative of its massive wind field and striking potential," said private weather agency Skymet.

"The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm over Northeast and adjoining East-central Arabian Sea moved nearly north-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during the past 6 hours and lay centered at 0830 hours IST of today, the 13th June, 2023 over the same region near latitude 20.9°N and longitude 66.9°E, about 280 km southwest of Devbhumi Dwarka, 300 km west-southwest of Porbandar, 310 km southwest of Jakhau Port, 330 km southwest of Naliya, and 450 km south of Karachi (Pakistan)," the IMD said.

"It is very likely to move nearly northwards till 13th midnight, then move north-northeastwards and cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) around evening of 15th June as a very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph," it added.

Heavy Rainfall warning:

According to IMD, light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall and extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts of Saurashtra & Kutch on 14thJune.

The intensity of rainfall would increase with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka & Jamnagar and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi & Junagarh districts of Gujarat and Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over remaining districts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat region on 15th June.

"Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over north Gujarat and adjoining south Rajasthan on 16th June," the IMD added.

Damages expected

• Potential threat from flying objects.
• Bending/ uprooting of power and communication poles.
• Major damage to Kutcha and Pucca roads. Flooding of escape routes. Disruption of railways, overhead power lines and signalling systems.
• Widespread damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards, falling of green coconuts and tearing of palm fronds. Blowing down of bushy trees like mango.
• Small boats, country crafts may get detached from moorings.
• Visibility severely affected due to salt spray

Action needed

• Total suspension of fishing operations over East-central and adjoining Westcentral Arabian Sea till 15th June.Those out at sea are advised to return to coast.
• Judicious regulation of offshore and onshore activities.
• Ports along the west coast of India may take necessary precautions.
• Naval base operations may maintain necessary precautions.
• Movement in motor boats and small ships all & off these coasts to be avoided.
• Mobilise evacuation from coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch (Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts).
• Judicious regulation of rail and road traffic.
• People in affected areas to remain indoors.
• Tourism activities may be restricted over these areas.
• Preparatory actions before the cyclones.