Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, June 11: Biparjoy, a very severe cyclonic storm, strengthened into an “extremely severe cyclonic storm” and is now expected to cross the Saurashtra-Kutch and nearby Pakistani coasts as a “very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS)” on June 15 in the afternoon, the India Meteorological Department said on Sunday.
“It is very likely to move nearly northwards till Wednesday morning, then move north-northeastwards and cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) around noon of 15th June as a very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph,” the Met Department said.
“Cyclone Alert for Saurashtra and Kutch Coast: Yellow Message. ESCS BIPARJOY lay over the east-central Arabian Sea at 0830 IST today, 460 km SSW of Porbandar, 510 km SSW of Dwarka, and 600 km SSW of Naliya. To cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adj Pakistan coasts around noon of 15 June as VSCS,” the IMD tweeted.
Cyclone Alert for Saurashtra and Kutch Coast: Yellow Message. ESCS BIPARJOY lay over eastcentral Arabian Sea at 0830 IST today,460 km SSW of Porbandar,510 km SSW of Dwarka,600 km SSW of Naliya. To cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adj Pakistan coasts around noon of 15 June as VSCS. pic.twitter.com/vh2Sipxf84
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) June 11, 2023
Regular updates on the cyclone have been given by the IMD.
Earlier in the day, the IMD tweeted, “VSCS BIPARJOY intensified into an ESCS at 0530IST today, about 480 km SSW of Porbandar, 530 km SSW of Dwarka and 610 km SSW of Naliya. To cross Saurashtra & Kutch and adj. Pakistan coasts bw Mandvi, Gujarat and Karachi, Pakistan around noon of 15th June as VSCS.”
The IMD has issued an alert in Thane, Mumbai and Palghar. Additionally, it has requested that fishermen in the coastal regions exercise caution from June 11 to June 14.
Tithal Beach in Gujarat’s Valsad, a coastal city on the Arabian Sea, saw high waves on Saturday. As a precaution, Tithal Beach has been restricted to visitors until June 14.
According to officials of the Gujarat Information Department, the Indian Coast Guard Region-North West has started a campaign to inform the fishing community, mariners, and other stakeholders in Gujarat, Daman and Diu to take the required precautions and safety measures.
The Indian Coast Guard has been regularly engaging with the fishing community at all of its coastal outposts for the past week. Locals had already been forewarned about going offshore for fishing.
As of June 10, the southwest monsoon has advanced into portions of the central Arabian Sea, Kerala, Karnataka, additional portions of the southwest Bay of Bengal, the majority of the northeast Bay of Bengal, a portion of the northwest Bay of Bengal, and the majority of north-eastern states.