Alert has been sounded for Saurashtra and Kutch as Cyclone Biparjoy in the Arabian Sea, an "extremely severe" cyclonic storm", is reportedly tilted eastwards and headed towards Gujarat coast.
The Indian Metereological Department (IMD) has predicted that the cyclonic storm is likely to make a landfall on Thursday, June 15, with a windspeed of 150 kmph.
According to the IMD, "The extremely severe cyclonic storm “Biparjoy” (pronounced as “Biporjoy”) over eastcentral Arabian Sea moved northwards with a speed of 05 kmph during past 6- hours and lay centered at 0530 hours IST of today, the 12 th June, 2023 over the eastcentral and adjoining northeast Arabian Sea near latitude 19.2°N and longitude 67.7°E, about 340 km southwest of Porbandar, 380 km south-southwest of Devbhumi Dwarka, 460 km south of Jakhau Port, 470 km south-southwest of Naliya and 640 km south of Karachi (Pakistan).
"It is very likely to move nearly northward till 14th morning, then move northnortheastwards and cross Saurashtra & Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by noon of 15th June as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph."
The IMD also mentioned that damage is expected over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Morbi & Junagarh & Rajkot districts of Gujarat on June 15:
Cyclone Biparjoy is likely to cause total destruction of thatched houses/ extensive damage to kutcha houses. Some damage to pucca houses. 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.
Fishermen have been warned to stop fishing operation and remain off the coastal areas. Fishermen Warning and Action has been suggested for Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh and Morbi districts and for offshore and onshore industries, the IMD mentioned in its national bulletin.