The intensity of Cyclone Biparjoy, which lashed Saurashtra-Kutch region, has reduced from ‘very severe’ to ‘severe’ category hours after making landfall in coastal areas of Gujarat, an official said on Friday.
The cyclone has moved northeastwards and has weakened into a cyclonic storm and will become a depression by the evening over south Rajasthan, the official said.
The storm will bring strong winds with a speed of 60 to 70 km per hour. The districts of Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jalore, and Jodhpur in Rajasthan will witness heavy rainfall. Rains will lash Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Ajmer on Saturday too.
A relief and rescue operation was under way with multiple teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) deployed in the affected districts, officials said.
The latest tweet from IMD read: “At 0230 of Today, 16th June the SCS BIPARJOY lay centered over Saurashtra-Kutch region, 30 km north of Naliya. it would further move NE-wards and weaken into a CS by the early morning of 16th and into a depression by the same evening over south Rajasthan.”
IMD director Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that the cyclone has now moved from sea to land and is centred towards Saurashtra-Kutch. “Cyclone Biporjoy moved northeastwards and crossed the Saurashtra-Kutch adjoining Pakistan coast close to the Jakhau port, Gujarat. The cyclone has now moved from sea to land and is centred towards Saurashtra-Kutch,” he added.
“The intensity of the cyclone has reduced to 105-115 kmph. The category has changed from very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS) to severe cyclonic storm (SCS). There may be heavy rains in Rajasthan on June 16 (Friday),” he added.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Thursday that the state was prepared to face the cyclone and the accompanying heavy rainfall. “We have done a review. People of Civil Defense and Disaster Management have been deputed and there is no need to panic,” he told reporters. Gehlot also warned people in Barmer and Jalore to stay alert ahead of the impending cyclone.
Biparjoy, which made landfall in Gujarat on Thursday, caused flooding in low-lying areas and widespread power outages across Gujarat’s Kutch district. The storm packed high winds and heavy rains, causing trees and power lines to uproot at Mandvi in Kutch district.
