Shillong, June 15: Parts of the Saurashtra-Kutch region in Gujarat experienced heavy rains and strong winds as Cyclone ‘Biparjoy’ approached the area.
This cyclone is set to be the second to hit the state in two years, following ‘Tauktae’ in May 2021. According to the Meteorological Department, cyclone ‘Biparjoy’ is anticipated to make landfall near Jakhau Port on Thursday evening, classified as a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ with maximum wind speeds of up to 150 kilometers per hour.
Taking proactive measures, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel convened a meeting with top officials at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar on Wednesday night. The purpose of the meeting was to assess the situation and review the steps taken by the administration thus far in response to the approaching cyclone, as stated in a release.
In order to ensure the safety of the coastal residents, the state administration has taken precautionary actions by relocating over 74,000 individuals residing near the coast. Additionally, disaster management units have been deployed for rescue and relief operations. According to the Gujarat government’s release, out of the total 74,345 people moved to temporary shelters across eight coastal districts, Kutch district alone accounted for nearly 34,300 evacuees. The numbers were followed by 10,000 in Jamnagar, 9,243 in Morbi, 6,089 in Rajkot, 5,035 in Devbhumi Dwarka, 4,604 in Junagadh, 3,469 in Porbandar district, and 1,605 in Gir Somnath district.