Cyclone ‘Biparjoy’: Take Every Possible Measure For Safe Evacuation: PM Tells Authorities

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a high-level meeting to review the situation related to Cyclone Biparjoy, where he directed senior officers to take every possible measure to ensure that people living in vulnerable locations are safely evacuated.

He also urged the authorities to ensure the maintenance of all essential services such as power, telecommunications, health, drinking water, etc.

During the meeting, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed that Cyclone 'Biparjoy' is expected to cross Saurashtra and Kutch between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by noon of June 15 as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 145 kmph, a statement from his office said.

It is likely to cause heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of Gujarat, including extremely heavy falls in Kutch, Dwarka and Jamnagar and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi and Junagarh districts of Gujarat on 14-15 June. The IMD informed that it has been issuing regular bulletins since the onset of the cyclonic system on June 6 with the latest forecast to all the states and agencies concerned.

It was also informed that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is reviewing the situation 24/7 and is in touch with the Gujarat Government and the Central Agencies concerned. NDRF has pre-positioned 12 teams, which are equipped with boats, tree-cutters, telecom equipment etc. and has kept 15 teams on standby.

Indian Coast Guard and the Navy have deployed ships and helicopters for relief, search and rescue operations. Air Force and Engineer task force units of the Army, with boats and rescue equipment, are on standby for deployment. Surveillance aircraft and helicopters are carrying out serial surveillance along the coast. Disaster Relief teams (DRTs) and Medical Teams (MTs) of Army, Navy and Coast Guard are on standby, the statement added.

The Prime Minister was also briefed about measures taken by Gujarat government to deal with the cyclone. "Review meetings with the district administration have been held at the level of Chief Minister and the entire state administration machinery is geared up to meet any exigency situation. Also, Cabinet Secretary and Home Secretary are in continuous touch with the Chief Secretary of Gujarat and Central Ministries/ Agencies concerned," the press release stated.

The meeting was attended by the Home Minister, Principal Secretary to PM, Cabinet Secretary and other senior officers.

As per the IMD's latest bulletin, cyclone Biparjoy is expected to make landfall in Gujarat and southern parts of Pakistan on Thursday.