An earthquake measuring 3.5 magnitude hit Gujarat’s Kutch district a day before the anticipated landfall of Cyclone Biparjoy. The earthquake’s epicenter was located 5 kilometers West-Southwest of Bhachau, as reported by the Institute of Seismological Research, Gandhinagar. The tremor occurred at 5:05 pm on Wednesday, adding to the challenges faced by the region in the face of the impending cyclone.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had previously issued a warning for Cyclone Biparjoy, specifically for the Saurashtra and Kachchh coasts in Gujarat. The cyclone is projected to move northeastwards and cross Saurashtra and Kutch, as well as the adjacent Pakistani coasts, between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by the evening of June 15, as stated by the IMD.
The IMD took to Twitter and shared, “Cyclone Warning for Saurashtra & Kutch Coasts: RED MESSAGE. VSCS BIPARJOY at 1130 IST today over NE Arabian Sea near lat 21.9N & long 66.3E, about 280km WSW of Jakhau Port (Gujarat) and 290km WSW of Devbhumi Dwarka. To cross near Jakhau Port by evening of 15th June as VSCS. @WMO.”
In preparation for Cyclone Biparjoy, the Border Security Force (BSF) evacuated residents from villages in the coastal areas of Kutch at their Border Outpost. The Inspector General of BSF, Ravi Gandhi, visited Bhuj’s coastal areas to oversee the measures taken to mitigate the potential devastation caused by the cyclone and assess the readiness for any unforeseen circumstances.
Approximately 50,000 individuals living near the sea in eight districts of Gujarat have been evacuated as a precautionary measure with the cyclone’s approach towards the Kutch coast. To aid in relief and rescue operations, eighteen National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed, with four teams stationed in Kutch district, three each in Rajkot and Devbhumi Dwarka, two in Jamnagar, and one each in Porbandar, Junagarh, Gir Somnath, Morbi, Valsad, and Gandhinagar.
The impending cyclone, coupled with the recent earthquake, has raised concerns about the potential impact on the affected region. Authorities and rescue teams are working diligently to ensure the safety of residents and minimize the damage caused by the natural disasters.
The region is on high alert as the cyclone approaches, with extensive evacuation efforts and the deployment of rescue teams. The combination of the earthquake and cyclone highlights the challenges faced by the affected area, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and swift action in ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents.