- Landfall process for Cyclone Biparjoy commences, powering winds at 100 kmph and bringing heavy rain
- Massive, NDRF, SDRF, Army, IAF, ICG, BSF relief-rescue deployment in place
- · Authorities opt for HAM radio to facilitate communication
NE NEWS SERVICE
GANDHINAGAR, JUNE 15
Even as the landfall process for Cyclone Biparjoy has started, powering winds at 100 kmph and bringing heavy rain on Gujarat coast, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday held a key meeting at the State Emergency Operation Centre to assess and strengthen the strategy in anticipation of the potential cyclone ‘Biparjoy’.
#IndianAirForce ready to face Cyclone #Biparjoy. IAF has set up Disaster Management Cell at Air HQ, Command HQ and Local Air Force Stations of affected areas. Sufficient Air Assets like Transport aircraft and Helicopters are on standby to mitigate any contingency.
— C PRO South Western Air Command (@SWAC_IAF) June 15, 2023
During the session, the Chief Minister got a full-scale briefing from the officials concerning the state’s readiness measures against the approaching cyclone.
CYCLONE BIPARJOY: @BSF_India EXTENDS HELPING HANDS TO BORDER POPULATION IN KUTCH
The landfall of #cyclonebiparjoy , identified as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, is expected near Jakhau Port by this evening . pic.twitter.com/LHED721i9t
— BSF GUJARAT (@BSF_Gujarat) June 15, 2023
The CM also offered his suggestions to bolster the preparedness.
Relief Commissioner, Alok Pandey, kept the attendees updated on the cyclone’s status. The Commissioner also elaborated on the state’s robust evacuation efforts. He said that nearly a lakh residents from eight districts have been moved to safer places. These include people from nearly 20 villages within a 10 km radius of the coast.
150 villagers from Thumari and Walawariwand villages have sought refuge in the BSF camp. BSF troops have made all necessary adjustments, accommodating everyone within their facilities to ensure well-being of villagers which include 34 children, as well as senior citizens.
— BSF GUJARAT (@BSF_Gujarat) June 15, 2023
The evacuees included people from Junagadh, Kutch, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Morbi, and Rajkot.
મુખ્યમંત્રી શ્રી ભૂપેન્દ્ર પટેલના માર્ગદર્શનમાં બિપરજોય વાવાઝોડા સામે માનવજીવનની સાથોસાથ પશુઓ અને વન્ય પ્રાણીસૃષ્ટિને સુરક્ષિત રાખવાનું રાજ્ય સરકારનું સુદ્રઢ આયોજન.#CycloneBiparjoy pic.twitter.com/oM5JJuwJUy
— CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) June 15, 2023
Officials said 15 teams of the National Disaster Response Force, 12 teams of the State Disaster Response Force as well as personnel of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Coast Guard and Border Security Force (BSF) have been deployed for relief and rescue operations.
મુખ્યમંત્રી શ્રી ભૂપેન્દ્ર પટેલે ગુજરાતમાં બિપરજોય વાવાઝોડા સામે વહીવટી તંત્ર દ્વારા કરાયેલી કામગીરીની વિગતો મેળવવા સ્ટેટ ઇમરજન્સી ઓપરેશન સેન્ટર ખાતે ઉચ્ચસ્તરીય બેઠક યોજી હતી.
મુખ્યમંત્રીશ્રીએ બેઠક દરમ્યાન વાવાઝોડાની વર્તમાન સ્થિતિ અને પૂર્વાનુમાન ઉપરાંત તંત્ર દ્વારા નાગરિકોના… pic.twitter.com/fPDS42sZLi
— CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) June 15, 2023
In view of the cyclone causing huge tides, people have been barred from going near the sea, with lifeguards being deployed at all beaches, the officials added.
Ensure the safety by following the instructions given by the authorities during natural calamities like #CycloneBiparjoy pic.twitter.com/vdQAv5Bems
— CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) June 15, 2023
“Of 94,427 persons evacuated so far, 46,800 were evacuated in Kutch district, followed by 10,749 in Devbhumi Dwarka, 9,942 in Jamnagar, 9,243 in Morbi, 6,822 in Rajkot, 4,864 in Junagadh, 4,379 in Porbandar and 1,605 in Gir Somnath district,” a state government release said.
“Those who were shifted to safer places include 8,900 children, 1,131 pregnant women and 4,697 elderly persons. A total of 1,521 shelter homes have been set up in these eight districts. Medical teams are visiting these shelters at regular intervals,” the release said.
My sincere appeal to all the correspondents of news channels and dear reporter friends, as heavy winds have started approaching, please do not risk your life by going near the sea.
Keep reporting from a safer place.🙏🏻— Harsh Sanghavi (Modi ka Parivar) (@sanghaviharsh) June 15, 2023
The India Meteorological Department said ‘Biparjoy’ is likely to make landfall near Jakhau Port in Gujarat’s Kutch district late Thursday night as a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ with wind speeds reaching a maximum of 140 kilometres per hour.
Although the cyclone’s speed has dropped recently, the predicted time of landfall remains between 9 to 10 p.m. on Thursday.
The looming storm implies an uptick in wind speed and rainfall.
As per the Met Office, the next two days will witness heavy to very heavy showers in the impacted districts.
Preventive actions are in place for districts like Banaskantha and Patan that might receive heavy showers.
Measures to protect wildlife and livestock have also been introduced. The water supply department has put standby generator sets in Kutch, Dwarka, and Jamnagar to ensure a steady water supply.
The road and building department teams stand ready with machinery to remove fallen trees and repair roads. Mobile operators have geared up to prevent any disruption in messaging services, and have provisions for satellite phones and wireless networks.
The NDRF, SDRF, and the police force are collaborating to mitigate potential damage.
Key officials, including the Chief Secretary and Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, kept everyone updated on their department’s progress.
Meanwhile, Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) has deployed six HAM radio teams, two of them in Kutch, and mobile units for seamless communication after Biparjoy hits the shore near Jakhau port.
HAM radio is considered a reliable mode of messaging during emergencies when wirelines, mobile phones and other traditional terrestrial means of communication fail. Also known as amateur radio, HAM radio involves the use of radio frequency spectrum for non-commercial exchange of messages.
“GSDMA has deployed six teams with HAM radio units where the impact of the cyclone will likely be the most. Of them, two are in Kutch,” said Dr Kausal Jani, HAM radio operator of GSDMA.
