Cyclone Biparjoy to make landfall near Gujarat port on June 15, NDRF deploys teams in Mumbai.



With winds gusting up to 150 kilometres per hour, cyclone 'Biparjoy' in the Arabian Sea is expected to make landfall in Gujarat on Thursday, June 15. In light of the cyclone crossing the state, section 144 has been imposed in Kutch till Friday, June 16.

The cyclone is expected to make landfall near the Jakhau port in Kutch district on Thursday afternoon. Efforts are underway to mitigate its impact through evacuation of people and suspension of activities in port areas, the officials said.


Apart from Gujarat, preparations have been made in Mumbai as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed two additional teams in the city as a precautionary measure. NDRF teams have been stationed in the Andheri and Kanjurmarg areas in the western and eastern suburbs, respectively.


The top developments

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said that 'Biparjoy' is on its way to becoming the cyclone with the longest lifespan in the Arabian Sea. It will also be the third cyclone to make landfall in Gujarat in June since 1965. The life period of Cyclone Biparjoy, which developed over the southeast Arabian Sea at 5.30 am on June 6, is about seven days and over 16 hours so far.

People will be evacuated within 10 km from the coast in Kutch-Saurashtra starting Tuesday, June 13. Around 7,500 people residing in low-lying areas near the coast have already been shifted to safer places in the state, a PTI report said.


PM Modi said rescue teams were ensuring the safe evacuation of people living in vulnerable locations in the path of Cyclone Biparjoy. "Our teams are ensuring safe evacuations from vulnerable areas and ensuring maintenance of essential services. Praying for everyone's safety and well-being," PM Modi tweeted.


Rain is expected in parts of northwest India, including Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and west Uttar Pradesh, on June 15, the day Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to make landfall in Gujarat. However, Skymet Weather clarified to PTI that the unseasonal rains will not benefit crops, and will not be like typical monsoon rain.


The Western Railway has cancelled as many as 67 trains heading to coastal areas of Gujarat in view of Biparjoy. Besides, it is considering cancellation of several trains over the next three days, a release said.


  • Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea and those at sea have been called back to safety. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) reviewed preparations of the Gujarat government ahead of Biparjoy making landfall, and assured the state of all help.

  • The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has also undertaken all precautionary measures as per the standard protocols. Passengers have been asked to contact their respective airlines for the status of their flights beforehand.

  • IMD has issued an Orange alert for June 14 and a Red alert for June 15 in all districts of Gujarat in the wake of Cyclone Biparjoy. After making landfall in the state on Thursday, Biparjoy is expected to move towards the north-northeast (NNE) direction.


  • Section 144 has been imposed in the coastal areas of the Kutch district in Gujarat, till June 16. Besides, all schools in the area have been closed.

  • People residing in low-lying areas near the Arabian Sea coast have been shifted to safer places in the districts of Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Porbandar.