Cyclone Biparjoy: huge waves lash Gujarat coast; over 45,000 people evacuated so far

Huge waves crashed into coastal Gujarat as Cyclone Biparjoy neared landfall. Dwarka and Kutch are expected to be the worst hit by cyclone when it hits the Gujarat coast on June 15.

According to NDRF chief Mohsen Shahidi, over 45,000 people have been evacuated to safer areas. 18 teams of NDRF and 13 teams of SDRF have been deployed for evacuation, rescue and relief operations.

The cyclone is likely to hit the shore near Jakhau port between Mandvi in Kutch and Karachi in Pakistan with sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph on Thursday evening (June 15).

The met department has predicted extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds in coastal parts of the Saurashtra-Kutch region, especially in the districts of Kutch, Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka.

After it makes landfall and weakens, Biparjoy is likely to remain north-eastward and is expected to move towards extreme south Rajasthan. It is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rain in north Gujarat between June 15-17.

Fishing activities have been suspended till June 16, ports are shut and ships are anchored as the sea turned turbulent and weather became inclement with extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds in the region due to the approaching cyclone.

(with PTI inputs)