As soon as the landfall process commenced, gusty winds uprooted trees in several coastal places and boats tied at Okha port were damaged.

Cyclone Biparjoy's landfall has begun in the coastal districts of Saurashtra and Kutch. It is a 'severe cyclonic storm' and the landfall process will continue until midnight, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD). As soon as the landfall process commenced, gusty winds uprooted trees in several coastal places and boats tied at Okha port were damaged.

“It will hit the coast between Karachi and Mandvi and close to the Jakhau port in Gujarat. It is now located about 70 km from Jakhau port in the Arabian Sea and is moving at a speed of about 15 kmph," said Dr. Mrityunjay Mohapatra, Director General, IMD

Power has been cut in several coastal areas. The cyclone is having a disastrous effect in Dwarka, with waves up to 20 feet high spotted in the sea. Torrential rain and high winds are pelting the whole district. The system is also on high alert. Most of Dwarka's power has been turned off.

Many coastal areas like Kutch’s Mandvi and Jakhau, Porbandar, Gir Somnath and Bhavnagar are facing the same situation. There is rainfall in 131 talukas in the state ahead of the storm.

Cyclone Warning for Saurashtra & Kutch Coasts: RED MESSAGE.VSCS BIPARJOY at 1730IST today near lat 22.8N and lon 67.9E about 70km WSW of Jakhau Port (Gujarat),130km WNW of Devbhumi Dwarka. LANDFALL PROCESS HAS COMMENCED. pic.twitter.com/M8S8lL8x0A

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) June 15, 2023

"We won't be surprised if some areas record more than 25 cm of rainfall. Usually, they do not receive such intense precipitation at this time of the year. Therefore, there is a risk of flooding in the low-lying areas," Mohapatra cautioned.

Meteorologists had warned of extensive damage to standing crops, houses, roads, electricity and communication poles, and flooding of escape routes.

Hugh tides could inundate low-lying areas of Saurashtra and Kutch coasts, they said.

As of Thursday morning, Biparjoy was less than 200 kilometres from the Gujarat coast.

Its impending landfall in the evening, along with the anticipated heavy rain and storm surge, has led to the evacuation of over 94,000 people living in vulnerable areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said the cyclone would bring extremely heavy rainfall and cause an 'astronomical tide' with a storm surge of 2-3 metres in height that could inundate low-lying areas in Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar and Morbi districts during landfall.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Railway Protection Force (RPF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Army units are on standby to provide assistance and support, said Amit Arora, the collector of Kutch, Gujarat.

Cyclone Biparjoy Highlights:  

94,427 relocated to safe locations --- 4864 in Junagadh, 46,823 in Kutch, 9942 in Jamnagar, 4379 in Porbandar, 10,749 in Devbhoomi Dwarka, 1605 in Gir Somnath, 9243 in Morbi, and 6822 in Rajkot. 8,900 children, 1,131 pregnant women and 4,697 elderly persons have been shifted. 1,521 shelter homes set up; Medical teams are visiting them. Several parts of Kutch, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Devbhumi Dwarka and Amreli received heavy rainfall from 10-20 mm in six hours till Thursday noon. During the last three days, a total of 2248 mm of rain has been reported in 55 talukas, with eight districts facing the prospect of a storm. Heavy to very heavy rainfall predicted in Banaskantha and Patan on June 16. 400 uprooted trees removed; roads have been repaired. 33 NDRF teams stationed in Gujarat and Maharashtra. 18 NDRF teams placed in Gujarat, 1 in Diu. 10-15 Navy teams with five swimmers each, at Okha, Porbandar and Bakasura. One Air Force helicopter each at Vadodara, Ahmedabad and Delhi. 27 Army columns in Bhuj, Jamnagar, Gandhidham, Dhrangadhra; Forward locations at Naliya, Dwarka and Mandvi. Four inflated boats to carry 10-12 people. 8 Coast Guard stations with 15 ships and 7 aircrafts available. 23 disaster relief teams have also been positioned. Over 20,000 animals moved to safer locations, adequate rations ready at all shelter homes. 50 teams ready for road clearance operations. For the lions: 184 teams deployed for rescue and rapid response at strategic points in Gir TRAINS CANCELLED: 76 trains cancelled, 36 services short-terminated, 31 services short-originated, Western Railways said.

The Navy has placed four ships equipped with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities on standby.

Additionally, relief teams are stationed at Porbandar, Okha, and Valsura, ready to provide immediate assistance. Helicopters stationed at INS Hansa in Goa and INS Shikra in Mumbai are prepared to be deployed to Gujarat if necessary.

#BiparjoyAlert Over 1100 pregnant women and over 8900 children have been transferred to safer regions Said #Gujarat Government Officials #CycloneBiporjoy @NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard @santwana99 @Shahid_Faridi_ pic.twitter.com/X2FVLCGf8s

— Dilip Singh Kshatriya (@Kshatriyadilip) June 15, 2023

IMD Warning: Damage expected in these areas

Cyclone Biparjoy is likely to destroy thatched houses and cause extensive damage to kutcha houses, and slight damage to pucca houses. Flying objects pose a potential threat, and power and communication poles may bend or uproot due to the severe cyclonic storm.

Major damage to roads, flooding of escape routes, disruption of railways, power lines, and signalling systems are anticipated. Standing crops, plantations, orchards, and coconut trees are at risk of damage, while bushy trees like mango may be blown down. Small boats and country crafts may become detached from their moorings, and visibility will be severely affected by salt spray.

Cyclone Warning for Saurashtra & Kutch Coasts: RED MESSAGE.VSCS BIPARJOY at 1430IST today near lat 22.8N and lon 67.6E about 110km WSW of Jakhau Port (Gujarat),160km WNW of Devbhumi Dwarka.Landfall process will commence near Jakhau Port from today evening,continue till midnight. pic.twitter.com/OgFLCueJUV

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) June 15, 2023

Warning for fishermen

Fishermen are strongly advised to suspend all fishing operations in the northeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea. Those currently at sea are urged to return to the coast. Offshore and onshore activities should be regulated cautiously, and precautions should be taken at ports along the west coast of the country.

Naval bases are also instructed to maintain necessary precautions.

Movement of motor boats and small ships in these areas should be avoided. Evacuation measures should be mobilised for coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch, while rail and road traffic should be regulated.

People in affected areas are advised to remain indoors, and tourism activities may be restricted during this period.

The authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to respond promptly to any emergencies that may arise.

HELPLINE NUMBERS

Flights at Jamnagar airport suspended till Friday, NOTAM issued

Commercial flight operations at Gujarat's Jamnagar airport will remain suspended till Friday ahead of cyclone Biparjoy's landfall.

The airport has issued a NOTAM for three days -- Wednesday-Friday. Diesel and petrol required to operate the airport in an emergency have also been stored.

According to NOTAM, Air India and Star Air have cancelled their scheduled flights. NOTAM means 'Notice to Airmen' -- it is issued at the airport for flights coming from outside.

WATCH |

Mandaviya reviews preparedness measures

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday reviewed the preparedness measures being taken in Kutch for cyclone Biparjoy.

The Union health minister visited the Bhuj Air Force station to take stock of the preparations made by 'Garuda' Emergency Response Team of the Indian Air Force.

He said, "Our jawans are fully prepared for the safety of life and property from the cyclone."

He also reviewed the availability of oxygen, ventilators and critical care beds in Kutch district government hospitals, trust-run hospitals and other hospitals in the region.

He further reviewed the preparations of health facilities that will be made immediately available if needed, post the cyclone.

Mandaviya interacted with drivers of 108 emergency ambulance services in Kutch and stated that "their enthusiasm and support have been a confidence booster."

He said under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "all possible arrangements are being made by the central and state governments to deal with cyclone Biparjoy."

#BiparjoyAlert #CycloneBiparjoy : A "Ham Radio' team is working hard to prevent any disruption in communication in Kutch. Professor Kaushal Jani, who leads the ham radio team, said the rains have ceased in #Kutch . #Gujarat @NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/5eLNo3s737

— Dilip Singh Kshatriya (@Kshatriyadilip) June 15, 2023