- Cyclone Biparjoy Approaches
- Impact and Precautions
- Evacuations and Concerns
As a powerful cyclone makes landfall, gale-force winds and torrential rains are lashing the coasts of northwest India and southern Pakistan.
Before the approach of Cyclone Biparjoy, more than 170,000 people in the two nations were evacuated to safety.
It could be the region’s worst storm in 25 years, according to forecasters, who warn that it poses a threat to homes and crops in its course.
The cyclone is expected to pass through portions of the Indian state of Gujarat and the Pakistani province of Sindh.
Cyclone Biparjoy, which means “disaster” in Bengali, is predicted to strike the coast near Jakhau port, between Mandvi in Gujarat and Keti Bandar in Sindh, between Jakhau and Jakhau port.
From Karachi to Gujarat, the disaster management agency of Pakistan warned of storm surges as high as 3-4m (10-13ft) along the coastline.
The official in charge of relief operations in Gujarat, Alok Pandey, stated earlier that the cyclone’s intensity had decreased, but that wind speeds were still anticipated to be “very dangerous” at around 110-125 km/h (68-78mph) at the time of landfall.
The Indian military and coast guard have prepared ships, helicopters, and aircraft for rescue and relief operations.
Rushikesh Patel, minister of health for Gujarat, urged individuals to avoid travel. “We aim to ensure zero casualties,” he stated.
Earlier this week, at least seven fatalities were reported in India due to heavy rainfall. The AFP news agency reported that the victims included two children crushed by a collapsing wall and a woman riding a motorcycle who was struck by a falling tree.
The storm is anticipated to strike the coast of Sindh province in Pakistan. The authorities have evacuated 81,000 individuals from the southeast coast and established 75 relief centers in schools.
Ms. Rehman stated that Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan with a population of more than 20 million, was not immediately threatened, but that emergency measures were being implemented.
Meteorologists cautioned that high tides could flood low-lying coastal areas.
Since Wednesday, Mandvi and other coastal regions of Gujarat have experienced torrential rainfall and strong winds. Local media agencies distributed videos depicting debris in flight during a downpour.
Officials from the state of Gujarat reported that 94,000 people were evacuated from coastal areas.
Authorities said Gujarat’s Kandla and Mundra ports and several train services have stopped.
Gujarat’s coast is closed to fishing, while Pakistan’s coastal fishermen are advised to stay ashore.
Gujarat has control centres to monitor Asiatic lions in Gir forest and coastal areas. The only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion is the Gir forest.
18 national and 12 state disaster relief teams are helping in key Gujarat locations. Depending on the severity of the cyclone, they will concentrate on ensuring that essential services remain unaffected or are restored as soon as possible.
The India Meteorological Department anticipates that Biparjoy will “weaken” as it proceeds inland.
Cyclones—hurricanes in the North Atlantic and typhoons in the northwest Pacific—are prevalent and deadly in the Indian Ocean. As a result of climate change, the Arabian Sea’s surface temperature has risen in recent years, making the adjacent regions even more susceptible to devastating storms.
In May 2021, Cyclone Tauktae was the last severe cyclone to strike the same region. It killed 174 individuals.
The evacuations for Biparjoy brought flashbacks of another cyclone that hit Gujarat 25 years earlier, killing and destroying. Unofficially, the number of fatalities was much higher than the official estimate of approximately 4,000.
Abbas Yakub, a 40-year-old fisherman taking refuge in a Mandvi elementary school, said, “We’ve seen cyclones in the past, but this time it looks very bad.” He was among the 150 individuals at the emergency shelter.
“Our home is located directly on the coast, and waves have already touched it this morning.” “We do not know where we will return,” he said.
Ishaan, a three-day-old infant, was the youngest resident of another sanctuary, a school that protected approximately 300 people. Shehnaz, his mother, expressed concern for their future.
“How will I care for my infant if my home is destroyed?” What will I return to?
