Biparjoy, the ‘Very Severe’ cyclonic storm that hit Gujarat on Thursday night, has now weakened to a ‘Cyclonic’ storm and is now centred 30 kilometres west-northwest of Bhuj, according to IMD Director Dr. Mrityunjay Mohapatra on Friday.
“Biparjoy has now weakened. It is in the category of ‘Cyclonic Storm’. It is now centred 30 kilometres west-northwest of Bhuj,” he stated “Biparjoy is moving in an East Northeast direction at a wind speed of 80-90 kilometres per hour (kmph) as of 8:30 am,” Dr Mrityunjay Mohapatra went on to say.
“The northern parts of Saurashtra, Kachchh and adjoining areas of north Gujarat is receiving heavy to very heavy rainfall at present with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places,” Mohapatra said.
He predicted that the storm would move into adjoining parts of Rajasthan in the evening, bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall to the region. Rainfall will continue in south Rajasthan until Saturday, he said, adding that extremely heavy rain is likely in some isolated areas of Rajasthan.
“It will bring heavy to very heavy rainfall in Rajasthan and extremely heavy rainfall in isolated pockets of Rajasthan,” he said. When it reaches Rajasthan, the wind speed will drop to 40-50 kmph or even 60 kmph, according to Dr Mohapatra.
Cyclone Biparjoy passed Jakhau with winds gusting over 115-120 kph, sea conditions to remain rough: IMD
Between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, Cyclone Biparjoy passed through Jakhau, bringing with it heavy rain and winds that gusted over 115-120 kph. The IMD Director stated that the sea conditions will remain rough until noon and that the windspeed at the Saurashtra coast will decrease to 35–45 kmph by Friday afternoon.
He cautioned fishermen against going out to sea. Over 300 electric poles were damaged by Biparjoy in Gujarat’s Morbi district, causing power outages in about 45 villages.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel spoke on the phone earlier on Thursday to assess the situation following the landfall of Cyclone “Biparjoy” in Gujarat’s coastal regions.
“Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi had a telephonic conversation with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel late today to get complete details of the Biparjoy Cyclone situation approaching Gujarat. Hon’ble Prime Minister also learned the details of the security arrangements for wild animals including lions of Gir Forest,” Gujarat CMO said in a tweet.
