PM Modi takes stock of situation as Gujarat braces for Cyclone Biparjoy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding a meeting to take stock of the situation as Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to strike the Gujarat coast at noon on June 15 with windspeeds gusting up to 150 km per hour. Union home minister Amit Shah and senior officials are also present at the meeting.

The Prime Minister directed senior officers to take every possible measure to ensure that people living in vulnerable locations are safely evacuated by the State Government and to ensure maintenance of all essential services such as Power, Telecommunications, health, drinking water etc. which should be restored immediately in the event of damage caused to them. He further directed the 24×7 functioning of control rooms. He also directed that the safety of animals should be ensured.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued an Orange alert for Cyclone Biparjoy which has rapidly intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is expected to cross near Jakhau Port in Gujarat by noon on  15th June.

The Gujarat government has started evacuating people from the low-lying areas in the coastal region.

Officials at Deendayal Port Authority in Kandla have started shifting people in the low-lying areas to shelters in Gandhidham.

KD Lakhani, the DM of Porbander said that the district administration is also joining hands with various NGOs to prepare for the effects of the storm. Low-lying and coastal areas have been prioritised as heavy rains are expected.

Cyclone shelters, holding a capacity of 500 people each, have been prepared for the safe evacuation of people in low-lying areas. Fishing permits were halted, and all fishing boats were anchored safely in anticipation of the cyclone.

“We have been coordinating with all the departments. We have communicated with people in the low-lying areas. We have prepared shelters to evacuate the population in the 30-31 villages of the coastal areas, whose families could be affected by the cyclone. There are four cyclone centres in the coastal areas, each can fit 500 people.

“No fishing permits have been given since June by the fishery department, and no fishermen are at deep sea without permits; we have made sure of that. All 4500 boats in the district have been anchored safely. Fishermen have been advised not to venture out. We are working with NGOs and other government departments, and are prepared to provide relief to areas affected by heavy rainfall,” Lakhani was cited as saying by news agency ANI.

Adani-managed Mundra Port has issued a Local Warning Signal indicating a possible danger to the port and its ships on account of Cyclone Biparjoy. Small ships continue to be in use and the big ships have been instructed to remain at sea.

The city of Navsari experienced rainfall late at night due to the effects of the cyclone. The district administration has issued alerts and the preparation for evacuation of villages near the coast has already been made.

Meanwhile, the cyclone continued to bring high tidal waves on the adjoining Maharashtra coast as well.