As Cyclone Biparjoy approaches Gujarat’s coastal areas, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the state’s preparedness. The cyclone is expected to make landfall at Jakhau in Kutch on Thursday evening, prompting the government to evacuate approximately 55,000 people, with over 47,000 already moved to safety by Wednesday morning. The chief minister and other officials discussed the necessary measures to mitigate the impact of the cyclone and ensure the safety of residents in the affected regions.
Evacuation Efforts and Preparations
The state government has taken proactive measures to safeguard the population from the impending cyclone. More than 47,000 individuals have already been evacuated, and the evacuation process continues for the remaining residents in vulnerable areas. Chief Secretary Raj Kumar, Relief Commissioner Alok Pandey, and Regional Director of the Meteorological Department Manorama Mohanty provided updates on the preparedness efforts during the review meeting at the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar.
Anticipated Impact and District Preparations
Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rains accompanied by strong winds to eight coastal districts of Gujarat. The landfall is projected to occur near Jakhau between 4 pm and 8 pm on Thursday, with wind speeds reaching 125-135 kmph. The districts most likely to experience the maximum impact are Kutch, Morbi, Devbhumi Dwarka, and Jamnagar. Additionally, North Gujarat districts such as Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Patan, and Mehsana may also witness heavy rainfall on June 16-17 as the cyclone gradually subsides. District collectors in the affected areas have been directed by Raj Kumar to make necessary preparations to mitigate potential risks.
Deployment of Rescue Teams
To address the potential impact of Cyclone Biparjoy, the Commissioner of Relief has deployed rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in the affected districts. A total of 18 NDRF teams and 12 SDRF teams have been assigned to specific districts based on their requirements. Kutch has six NDRF teams, while Devbhoomi Dwarka, Rajkot, and Jamnagar have three teams each. Other districts such as Junagadh, Porbandar, Gir Somnath, Morbi, Valsad, Patan, and Banaskantha have also been allocated teams to ensure prompt rescue and relief operations. Surat has a reserve team on standby for any emergency situations.
As Cyclone Biparjoy approaches Gujarat’s coastal regions, the state government, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of residents. Evacuation efforts are underway, with thousands of people already moved to safer locations. The government is closely monitoring the situation and has deployed rescue teams strategically across the affected districts. With collective efforts and preparedness, Gujarat aims to minimize the impact of the cyclone and safeguard the well-being of its residents.