Cyclone Biparjoy: Landfall Process Starts Near Gujarat’s Jakhau Port, To Continue Till Midnight

New Delhi: The landfall process of Cyclone Biparjoy has started near Jakhau port in Gujarat’s Kutch district and will continue till midnight, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said a few minutes ago.

“It will hit the coast between Karachi and Mandvi and close to Jakhau port of Gujarat. It’s now located about 70 km from Jakhau port in the Arabian Sea and is moving at a speed of about 15 kmph… Hence, the landfall process has commenced over the coastal districts of Saurashtra and Kutch… The landfall process will continue upto midnight,” IMD Director General Dr Mrityunjay Mohapatra told newspersons.

Windspeed of 60-70 kmph is prevailing now, but will increase to 115-130 kmph, gusting up to 140 kmph as the landfall continues, informed IMD.

There will also be heavy to very heavy rainfall during the land fall process.

After the landfall process is completed, the cyclone is expected to dissipate pretty quickly, as happens with most other cyclones as well. By Friday, the cyclone would have dissipated almost completely.

During the 5-6 hour period of landfall, the cyclone is expected to cause extensive damage in the coastal districts of Gujarat, many parts of which have been experiencing storm and rainfall for the last few hours.

IMD has warned that storm surges could go as high as 3 to 6 metres at some places.

The state government has shifted around 1 lakh people living in 8 coastal districts to safer temporary shelters. The administration has also issued prohibitory orders, shut down public transport and advised people to remain indoors.

Two teams each of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed, while Army and Indian Air Force teams have been kept on standby.