In a devastating turn of events, Cyclone Biparjoy unleashed its fury on Gujarat’s Kutch district, leaving behind a trail of destruction and causing significant disruptions to daily life. Packed with high wind speeds and torrential rain, the cyclone resulted in uprooted trees, power outages, and unfortunate casualties. As the cyclone gradually moved northward, it started losing intensity. Here are 10 key updates on the impact of Cyclone Biparjoy in Gujarat:
Landfall and Wind Speeds: Cyclone Biparjoy made landfall near Jakhau, striking the region as a very severe cyclonic storm around 6:30 pm on Thursday. With wind speeds ranging from 115 to 125 kmph and gusts reaching up to 140 kmph, the cyclone unleashed its full force.
Power Outages: Strong winds caused havoc, breaking electric wires and poles, leading to power outages in 45 villages of the Maliya tehsil. Although power has been restored in 11 villages, over 300 electric poles were damaged in coastal rural and desert areas. Efforts are underway by the Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd. (PGVCL) to restore power to the remaining affected areas.
Prime Minister’s Intervention: Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a conversation with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel over the phone, closely monitoring the situation. PM Modi also inquired about the safety measures in place for wildlife, including lions in the Gir Forest.
Weakening of the Cyclone: After crossing the coastline near Jakhau, the cyclonic storm gradually lost its strength. By 2:30 am on Friday, the wind speeds reduced to 100 kmph, with gusts up to 110 kmph, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Extensive Damage: The aftermath of the cyclone revealed the extent of destruction. Alok Singh, the relief commissioner of Gujarat, reported 24 animal deaths, 524 fallen trees, and broken electric poles, resulting in power outages in 940 villages across the region.
Mandvi Town: Mandvi town experienced a complete power blackout. Strong winds uprooted numerous trees along the Jakhau-Mandvi road and in the town itself. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, as stated by district collector Amit Arora.
Disrupted Train Services: Western Railway announced the cancellation or short-termination of 99 trains passing through, originating from, or terminating in the areas affected by Cyclone Biparjoy in Gujarat.
Evacuation Efforts: The Gujarat government successfully relocated approximately 1 lakh people from coastal and low-lying areas to safer shelters, mitigating potential risks.
Pakistan’s Preparations: In neighboring Pakistan, climate change minister Sherry Rehman informed that around 82,000 individuals were evacuated from southeastern coastal areas in anticipation of the cyclone, which was unprecedented in the region.
Potential Flooding in Karachi: As storm surges reached heights of up to four meters, Karachi, home to approximately 20 million people, faced the risk of flooding.
Efforts are underway to assess and address the damages caused by Cyclone Biparjoy. The authorities are working diligently to restore power, clear debris, and provide relief to the affected areas. The road to recovery will require collective resilience and support from the community, as Gujarat and its neighboring regions strive to bounce back from this natural disaster.