Cyclone Biparjoy Live Updates: Centre, states have achieved a lot in disaster management, but can’t stay content, says Amit Shah

(Express Photos by Nirmal Harindran)

As the sea turned rough, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) evacuated 50 personnel from an oil rig located 40 km off the Dwarka coast in an overnight operation amid inclement weather conditions due to the cyclone, the maritime agency said on Tuesday.

#WATCH | Gujarat: This is an extension of Kandla Port, we have completely vacated it. 1,500-2,000 people used to live here, we have sent them to the shelters of Gopalpur and Gandhidham. Some people wanted to go to their villages, so we arranged buses for them. There is no loss of… pic.twitter.com/RxEKmnhJ1z

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023

VIDEO | Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds a meeting to review the preparedness for #CycloneBiparjoy. pic.twitter.com/MT5XdtY8O4

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 13, 2023

📌 Cyclone Biparjoy, a "very severe cyclonic storm", is expected to cross the Gujarat coast on June 15.

📌 Six multi-disciplinary central quick response medical teams, pooled in from the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) and Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (New Delhi), AIIMS (Jodhpur) and AIIMS (Nagpur), are kept ready to be mobilised in the event of any requirement for providing emergency care and services.

📌 Besides, teams from the NIMHANS, Bengaluru are also on standby to provide psychosocial care and aid to any affected population

📌 The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) in all states has been tasked to conduct post-disaster disease surveillance through the state or district surveillance units to timely detect any outbreak of epidemic-prone diseases in the aftermath of the cyclone.

📌 In case of any logistic requirement of the states, HLL Lifecare Limited has been tasked with the supply of the same, the statement said. (PTI)

Jakhau port, one of the busiest docks in Gujarat, is serenely inactive except for the rough sea, gushing wind and heavy rains as it awaits the landfall of cyclone 'Biparjoy'.

The port is devoid of any living souls except for a few on-duty personnel as the entire human population there has been evacuated in anticipation of the landfall of the 'very severe cyclonic storm' on June 15

Hundreds of fishing boats have been brought ashore and parked in lines in the hope to save them from the imminent fury of nature. Except for the Indian Coast Guard and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel manning the port, no one is allowed to enter the facility.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the cyclone will make landfall near Jakhau. (PTI)

📌 With cyclone 'Biparjoy' barrelling towards Kutch district in Gujarat, shelter homes are being set up with arrangements for rations and meals while an action plan is being put in place to tackle medical and health emergencies, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday.

📌 He said all labourers working at ports in coastal areas have been evacuated, ships have been anchored, and crew members shifted to safer places.

📌 "The administration has set up shelter homes with rations, meals, and facilities for pregnant women and children. An action plan was put in place yesterday (Monday) for medical and health emergencies," Mandaviya told reporters. "When all state and Central departments, the broadcast department, and the Army work in tandem, they can achieve great results. India is known in the world for its disaster management," he said.

📌 Mandaviya, who is at Bhuj in coastal Kutch district, and four other Union ministers from Gujarat reached various districts that are likely to be impacted by the cyclone to help and coordinate with the state administration in rescue and evacuation measures. (PTI)

Cyclone 'Biparjoy' has an extensive damaging potential and it is likely to impact Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts of Gujarat the most, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday.

Cyclone Biparjoy is predicted to cross Saurashtra and Kutch coasts near Jakhau Port on the evening of June 15 as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph.

The cyclone could lead to extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm) at isolated places in Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts on June 15. Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi and Junagarh may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. Winds gusting up to 145 kilometers are predicted to batter these districts. (PTI)

📌 As cyclone 'Biparjoy' with an extensive damaging potential is likely to make landfall near Jakhau port in Gujarat's Kutch district on Thursday evening, the administration has so far shifted 21,000 people from different coastal districts to temporary shelters, an official said on Tuesday.

📌 The government is aiming to evacuate people within 10 km of the coast.

📌 The cyclone is likely to impact the Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts of Gujarat the most.

📌 Among the 21,000 people, nearly 6,500 were evacuated in Kutch district alone, followed by 5,000 in Devbhumi Dwarka, 4,000 in Rajkot, 2,000 in Morbi, more than 1,500 in Jamnagar, 550 in Porbandar and 500 in Junagadh district, he told reporters in Gandhinagar. (PTI)

#WATCH | Strong winds, turbulent sea at Dwarka owing to cyclonic storm 'Biparjoy'#Gujarat pic.twitter.com/cjSfsAXWFU

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023

#WATCH | Union minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya visits Bhuj Military Station to review preparedness as cyclone 'Biparjoy' is expected to cross near Gujarat's Jakhau Port by the evening of 15th June pic.twitter.com/EdsoB6CZm7

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023

Cyclone Biparjoy has an extensive damaging potential and it is likely to impact Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts of Gujarat the most, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday.

Cyclone Biparjoy is predicted to cross Saurashtra and Kutch coasts near Jakhau Port on the evening of June 15 as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph.

"Its damaging potential could be extensive," IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said at a press conference.

The cyclone could lead to extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm) at isolated places in Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts on June 15. (PTI)

Chairing a meeting to review precautionary measures taken as Cyclone Biparjoy approaches the western coast, Union Home Minister Amit Shah noted the work done by the Centre and state governments over the years in the arena of disaster management. The Home Minister noted, however, that they cannot be content as disasters have changed their forms and their frequency and intensity have increased in recent years.

The Home Minister also said that the States where nuclear power stations are being set up have been given a strict protocol to be followed in the case of any emergency situation.

#WATCH | After the meeting of Disaster Management ministers of States/UTs, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "In the last nine years, the Central Govt and States have achieved a lot in this area. Nobody can deny it. But we can't stay content because disasters have changed their… pic.twitter.com/qXLjSWW8KZ

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023

Evacuation of citizens living along Sindh's coastal belt continued throughout the night, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said.

Shah also said that Keti Bunder’s population of 13,000 was in danger, adding that 3,000 people had been evacuated overnight, Dawn reported.

Meanwhile, Ghorabari's population of 5,000 was in danger, out of which 100 people had been moved to a safe location.

The administration would continue to evacuate the citizens of Thatta, Badin and Sajawal districts, Shah informed.

Pakistan Meteorological Department’s Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre on Monday issued an alert on Monday saying that the cyclone had moved further north-northwestward during last 12 hours and had weakened into a “very severe cyclonic storm”, Dawn reported. 

As per the alert, the cyclone now lay at a distance of about 470km south of Karachi, 460km south of Thatta.

Under the existing conditions, the cyclone was “most likely” to track further northward until the morning of June 14 (Wednesday). The cyclone will recurve northeastward and cross between Keti Bandar and India's Gujarat coast on the afternoon/evening of June 15 as a “very severe cyclonic storm” packing winds of 100-120km/hour, as per Dawn.

The Indian Coast Guard evacuated 50 personnel from an oil rig located 40 km off the Dwarka coast in Gujarat in an overnight operation amid inclement weather conditions due to the impending cyclone ‘Biparjoy' in the region, the maritime agency said on Tuesday.

“India Coast Guard Region NorthWest evacuated 50 personnel from oil rig 'Key Singapore' 40 km seaward from Dwarka in seven sorties of overnight ops by ICG ALH aircraft and ship Shoor," it said in a release.

It said the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and ship braved "very rough sea conditions" and inclement weather due to approaching Biparjoy, which is expected to make landfall near Jakhau port in the Kutch district on June 15.(PTI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a review meeting over preparedness for the cyclonic storm today (Tuesday). Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel as well as MPs from various districts in the state are scheduled to participate in the meeting virtually, news agency ANI reported. 

It is after 25 years that Gujarat coast is bracing for a cyclone in June. Biparjoy will be only the fifth cyclone of the ‘severe’ (wind speed of 48 – 63 kms/hr) or higher category to cross Gujarat, if realised, as per the forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Biparjoy is the only third ‘extremely severe’ cyclone to develop in the Arabian Sea in June in 58 years, the data suggested. Read more

#WATCH | Union minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya gives details on evacuation efforts underway in Gujarat's District Kachchh, in view of impending cyclone 'Biparjoy' pic.twitter.com/tnlstlsdxp

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023

Cyclonic storm Biparjoy Tuesday weakened from an extremely severe cyclone to a very severe cyclone. However,  it remained on course to the Saurashtra-Kutch coast of Gujarat. The state government has decided to start evacuating people from vulnerable areas up to five kilometre inland from Tuesday onwards and will evacuate people living in huts and kuchcha houses up to 10 km inland Wednesday.

By Monday evening, more than 8,000 people had been moved to temporary cyclone shelters as a precautionary measure. Schools have also been ordered shut in the six coastal districts.

Cyclone Biparjoy is also likely to enter southwest Rajasthan on June 16, officials informed. In view of the cyclone, the North Western Railway (NWR) has cancelled some train services, news agency PTI reported. Read more

The national capital recorded a minimum temperature of 29.8 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, with strong surface winds forecast later in the day.

Delhiites can expect some respite from the heat as light rains are predicted in the city on Thursday and Friday under the influence of Cyclone Biparjoy which is gaining steam in the Arabian Sea. (PTI)

#WATCH | Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya in Kachchh holds a review meeting with all districts of Gujarat on preparedness, ahead of cyclone 'Biparjoy' pic.twitter.com/aUBK2xAGya

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023

Developed in the Arabian Sea, cyclone Biparjoy, earlier expected to move towards the Pakistan coastline, has now changed its path and is heading towards the northern Gujarat coast, with landfall expected on June 15.

According to India’s Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC), the cyclone might cause storm surges of 2-3 metres in height, destruction of thatched houses, damage to pucca houses and roads, floodings, widespread damage to standing crops, plantations and orchards, and disruption of railways, powerlines and signalling systems in the northern and western coastal districts of Gujarat.

Cyclone Biparjoy, which is expected to generate wind speeds of 125-135 kmph with gusts reaching up to 150 kmph by the time it reaches land, is a tropical cyclone. The National Disaster Management Authority classifies cyclones broadly into two categories: extratropical cyclones and tropical cyclones. Here is what you need to know about them. Read more

#WATCH | Maharashtra | High tide hits Worli Sea Face in Mumbai

As per the latest update by IMD, partly cloudy sky with possibility of light to moderate rain/ thundershowers in city & suburbs expected in Mumbai today; occasional strong winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph very likely… pic.twitter.com/c4obVpdQro

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023

Rescuers have found the bodies of two of the four boys who went missing in the sea off Mumbai's Juhu Koliwada, an official said on Tuesday.

According to a civic official, the bodies of 16-year-old Dharmesh Valji Faujiya and 15-year-old Shubham Yogesh Bhogniya have been recovered.

The two were part of a group of five friends, aged between 12 and 16 years, who ventured into the sea, about half a kilometre from the shore, around 5.30 pm on Monday but could not return.

Authorities have already warned people and fishermen against venturing into the sea because of the rough conditions ahead of the landfall of cyclone 'Biparjoy' on the Gujarat coast on June 15. (PTI)

As Cyclone ‘Biparjoy' approaches and is likely to make landfall near Jakhau port in the Kutch district off the Gujarat coast, evacuation efforts will pick up on Tuesday, with the government aiming to evacuate people within 10 km from the coast.

Authorities in the coastal districts of Kutch, Porbandar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Junagadh, and Morbi have started the process of shifting those living near the coastline. They said thousands of people residing in areas within 10 km from the shore will be moved to safer places from Tuesday. (PTI)

#WATCH | Gujarat | Hundreds of trucks parked at Gandhidham due to the closure of Kandla Port in the wake of #CycloneBiparjoy. pic.twitter.com/RC17R68A6P

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023

In the wake of the impending Cyclone Biparjoy, Indian Railways have activated the disaster management room and also opened emergency control rooms in several districts of Gujarat to ensure smooth rail functioning.

The Director of Information and Publication Railway Board, Shivaji Sutar on Monday said that sufficient manpower and machinery has been deployed with adequate preparation to deal with any emergency situation.

Speaking to ANI, Shivaji Sutar said, "Disaster Management room has been activated and field staff has been put on alert mode. Emergency control rooms have been opened in Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Ahmedabad and Gandhidham. Additional helpline numbers have also been activated". (ANI)

Palghar district administration Monday banned the movement of people near the coast from June 13 to June 15, in light of cyclone 'Biparjoy', news agency ANI reported.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel Monday visited the State Emergency Operation Centre in Gandhinagar to review the preparations in view of cyclone 'Biparjoy' which is expected to hit the state on June 15, news agency ANI reported.

#WATCH | Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visits State Emergency Operation Centre in Gandhinagar to review the preparations, in view of cyclone 'Biparjoy' which is expected to hit the state on June 15 pic.twitter.com/iWHG5PR0Zn

— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2023

Ashok Kumar Misra, the General Manager of the Western Railway, Mumbai, Monday said that the body has been constantly monitoring cyclone 'Biparjoy', news agency ANI reported. The department, besides cancelling 67 trains, has also established a disaster control room at its headquarters.

'We are continuously monitoring cyclone 'Biparjoy'. We have established a disaster control room at our headquarters and also deployed ADRMs at Bhuj, Gandhidam, Porbandar and Okha. Today, some trains have been cancelled due to increased wind speed in Porbandar. All trains going to coastal areas in Gujarat will be cancelled from tomorrow,' said Misra. (ANI)

The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, Monday chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials of the Port Authority to review the preparedness for cyclone 'Biparjoy', news agency ANI reported.

The Minister directed the senior officers to take every possible measure to ensure that people living in vulnerable locations are safe. (ANI)

A total of five boys had drowned at Juhu Koliwada, near Juhu Beach this afternoon, and not six, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a clarification on the numbers. 

Following the incident, a 15-year-old boy was rescued by fishermen before first-responders arrived at the spot, and at present, search and rescue for four of them is underway. 

The BMC said that owing to high tide search operation is being difficult and is taking time.

The Western Railway Monday fully cancelled the operation of 67 trains, in view of cyclone 'Biparjoy', according to the Chief Public Relation Officer of the Western Railway, ANI reported. 

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Monday evacuated a rig with 50 people on it off the Dwarka coast in Gujarat. It is a private oil rig named, 'Key Singapore' which is 25 miles off Devbhumi Dwarka district in the state's Saurashtra region.

(Video: Indian Coast Guard)

A team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Monday was deployed each in Gandhidham near Kandla and Mandvi, in Kutch district. Two teams of State Disaster Response Force have been kept on standby in Bhuj, the headquarters of Kutch. 

(Express Photo and Video)

As per Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) latest forecast, rains may continue to lash Mumbai for the next 24 hours.

The weather agency’s Santacruz observatory recorded 4 mm of rainfall till Monday morning, while the Colaba observatory recorded 7 mm of rainfall.

The met department also issued a yellow alert for today indicating thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and gusty winds in Palghar, Thane and Raigad. 

Six people drowned at Juhu Koliwada, near Juhu Beach this afternoon.

According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) disaster cell, while two people have already been rescued by locals, a search operation for four missing persons is in progress. 

The incident took place 5.28 pm and currently, Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) and Police officials are on the spot.

In the wake of cyclone Biparjoy, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) Monday said that it has undertaken all precautionary measures as per the standard protocols, as a part of its monsoon contingency plan. CSMIA is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to activate all necessary measures to mitigate any potential operational impact, in case of inclement weather conditions, to facilitate safe operations, according to a statement.

Passengers have been requested to contact their respective airlines for status of their flights. 

According to the statement, the Mumbai Airport has also successfully completed recarpeting of the secondary runway 14/32 as per schedule, and has been made operational since 10th June, 2023. With both runways now fully operational before monsoon sets in, the flexibility has ensured no disruption to flight movements in case of cross winds, thus solidifying our commitment to airside operational safety and efficient flight operations.

As a precautionary measure in view of cyclone Biparjoy, local police and lifeguards prohibited people from venturing into the turbulent sea at Mumbai's Juhu this afternoon. 

The Mumbai city received a yellow alert from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In addition to the existing teams in Mumbai, the NDRF has deployed two more teams as a precaution.

(Express Photos by Amit Chakravarty)

Minister of Health and Family Welfare of Gujarat Rushikesh Patel Monday chaired a meeting of Kutch district administration in Bhuj, where he directed various departments and agencies to work in coordination while responding to situation arising out of cyclone Biparjoy.

Minister of State for Education, Praful Pansehriya, who is also in Kutch was also present at the meeting. He directed the administration to restore road, water supply, power supply and health services within hours should cyclone Biparjoy disrupt them while hitting Kutch coast on June 15. 

(Express Photos)

Minister of State for Cooperation (independent charge), Gujarat, Jagdish Panchal alias Jagdish Vishwakarma Monday directed the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis in Gujarat to ensure that rains due to cyclone Biparjoy do not destroy farmers' produce

The APMC boards were directed to shift farmers' harvested crops that were brought to mandis to godowns immediately. He also appealed farmers to cart their harvested crops from fields to godowns.

Rains hit parts of Gujarat's Rajkot city and the coastal Veraval town in the Gir Somnath district. Authorities also removed hoarding boards in Rajkot as gusty winds started blowing across the city under influence of cyclone Biparjoy. 

(Express Photos and Video)

In view of cyclone Biparjoy, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Monday said that they have deployed two teams, in addition to the already-available three teams in Mumbai as a precautionary measure, news agency ANI reported.

"We have moved four other teams to Gujarat as Cyclone Biporjoy is expected to have more impact over there. Additionally, our teams at Pune are also ready," ANI quoted the NDRF officials.

The Kutch district administration Monday started evacuating people from vulnerable areas of coastal Gandhidham and Bhacahu talukas as well as adjoining Anjar taluka of the district. According to an official release from the government, about 5000 people have been evacuated from the areas.

(Express Photos and Videos)

The Morbi district primary education officer Monday declared holidays in all the schools in the district on June 14 and 15.

Teachers, though, have been asked to remain present, and take up any work that the Morbi district administration may assign to them.

Sea waves crashed over Gujarat's Dwarka coast as sea conditions turned phenomenal in the Arabian Sea off Devbhumi Dwarka coast on Monday.

(Express photos)

Energy Minister Kanu Desai, who has been deputed to Gujarat's Morbi district for leading the government's response to the impact of cyclone Biparjoy, Monday chaired a meeting of Morbi district administration, in Morbi.

Desai will also visit the Navlakhi port in Morbi to review the situation there and hold a meeting with officers there soon.

(Express Video)

Smriti Van, the memorial and museum dedicated to victims of the 2001 Kutch earthquake, will remain closed to visitors in view of inclement weather under the influence of cyclonic storm Biparjoy, from June 13 to 15, Kutch district collector said on Monday.

Strong winds and high tides hit the Gujarat coast as cyclone Biparjoy intensified this afternoon., news agency ANI reported. 

#WATCH | Valsad, Gujarat: Strong winds & high tide hits Gujarat coast as cyclone Biporjoy intensifies. Visuals from Tithal Beach. pic.twitter.com/w3xIofUDmA

— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting to assess the preparedness to tackle the fallout from cyclone Biparjoy on Monday. 

Visuals of the meeting chaired by PM Modi to review the preparedness to tackle the impact of #CycloneBiparjoy. pic.twitter.com/Tm8XIlnXlJ

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 12, 2023

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Kandla port was shut down, and all its operations were halted on Monday morning. Signal No.10, indicating great danger of port on account of severe cyclonic storm, has been hoisted at Kandla.

The cyclonic system is located at a distance of 690 km south of Karachi, Pakistan Meteorological Department said on Sunday.

A top official of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said that the authorities had started moving people from the low-lying coastal areas in Sindh to temporary shelters in government schools and offices as the cyclone is expected to make Keti Bandar and its adjoining area as its land-falling point in Pakistan.

Keti Bandar is one of the oldest ports in Sindh.

“We are expecting the high-intensity winds, heavy rainfalls, thunderstorms and high tides to damage vulnerable structures, so we have started taking precautions and are evacuating the people at least 10 kilometres away from coastal areas,” Jahanzaib Khan, the NDMA official, said.

The NDMA has also issued directions that all high-rise buildings and mobile towers in Karachi must be lit up by beacon lights and big advertisement boards on poles and buildings should either be strengthened or removed altogether if they pose a threat to passing traffic and the people.

In another precautionary measure, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority's airside department has also alerted the relevant officials to ensure the safety of lightweight aircraft and other electrical equipment by taking precautionary measures such as mooring of parked light aircraft or re-parking to a safer place. (PTI)

Pakistani authorities have started evacuating people from the low-lying coastal areas in the southern Sindh province as they braced for the approaching Cyclone Biparjoy that continues to gain strength and is likely to cause heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in the country.

All the authorities concerned have been put on high alert after Biparjoy, which located over the Arabian Sea, turned into an extremely severe cyclonic storm on Sunday.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said the cyclone is expected to impact southern and south-eastern parts of Sindh on June 13.

The cyclonic system is located at a distance of 690 km south of Karachi, Pakistan Meteorological Department said on Sunday. (PTI)