Cyclone Biparjoy made a forceful impact as it hit the Gujarat coast in the Saurashtra-Kutch region on Thursday evening, causing widespread destruction and prompting evacuation efforts. With wind speeds reaching up to 130 kmph, the cyclone battered coastal areas and triggered heavy rainfall, leading to incidents of tree falls and injuries.
The Devbhoomi Dwarka district in Gujarat was particularly hard-hit, with reports of numerous uprooted trees and collapsed walls. Injuries were reported among three individuals who were struck by falling trees, but fortunately, no fatalities have been recorded as of now. The Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, confirmed that the injured individuals were receiving medical treatment and assured that there were no reported deaths.
To address the aftermath of the cyclone, teams comprising the Gujarat Police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Army were deployed across Dwarka to clear uprooted trees and restore electricity poles. In Kutch district, near the towns of Jakhau and Mandvi, officials observed significant damage, including uprooted trees, electricity poles, and blown-away tin sheets used in house construction.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) projected that the landfall process would be completed by midnight. Although Dwarka, Okha, Naliya, Bhuj, Porbandar, and Kandla experienced heavy rainfall and strong winds throughout the day, the wind speed was expected to decrease gradually after midnight. The cyclone was predicted to weaken further, transforming into a depression by noon on June 16, with wind speeds decreasing to less than 40 kmph. The IMD’s forecast indicated minimal damage prospects.
In preparation for Cyclone Biparjoy, over one lakh people have already been evacuated, with a significant portion from Kutch district alone. The NDRF, in collaboration with the state government, deployed 18 teams primarily in Kutch to facilitate evacuation, rescue, and relief operations. Additional support was provided by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), army, and Border Security Force (BSF) teams.
Ahead of the cyclone’s landfall, commercial flight operations were suspended at Jamnagar airport until Friday. A NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) was issued, restricting operations from June 14 to June 16 midnight, allowing only emergency and relief flights to operate. The decision aimed to ensure the safety of air travel amid the cyclone’s impact.
As the cyclone continued its course, authorities urged residents in the affected areas to remain vigilant and follow the instructions issued by local authorities. With efforts underway to restore normalcy and provide assistance to those affected, the focus shifted toward assessing the extent of the damage and initiating relief measures to aid the affected communities.