Cyclone Biparjoy Intensifies Into Extremely Severe Storm; Gujarat Coast on Alert for June 15

New Delhi:  The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday said that the very severe cyclonic storm named “Biparjoy” has moved northwards at a speed of 5 kmph over the east-central Arabian Sea. It is expected to intensify into an extremely severe cyclonic storm within the next 6 hours.

IMD predicts that Cyclone Biparjoy will continue moving northwards and approach the coasts of Pakistan, Saurashtra, and Kutch as a very severe cyclonic storm by June 15. Currently, it is located near latitude 17.4°N and longitude 67.3°E, about 600 km west-southwest of Mumbai, 530 km south-southwest of Porbandar, and 830 km south of Karachi.

VSCS BIPARJOY intensified into an ESCS at 0530IST today, about 480 km SSW of Porbandar,  530 km SSW of Dwarka and 610 km SSW of Naliya . To cross Saurashtra  & Kutch and adj. Pakistan coasts bw Mandvi, Gujarat and Karachi, Pakistan around noon of 15th June as VSCS. pic.twitter.com/AZsK1Wqzqi

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) June 11, 2023

In response to the cyclone’s intensity, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has issued a ‘red alert’ and implemented emergency guidelines to ensure the safety of ships and port facilities. Shipping activities will be suspended if winds exceed 25 nautical miles, and cargo ship movement will be halted if wind speeds surpass 35 nautical miles.

To facilitate communication, the KPT has designated two emergency frequencies for contacting ships.

Additionally, the trust has instructed the relocation of harbour crafts to safer areas.

Furthermore, the Karachi administration has enforced a ban on fishing, sailing, swimming, and bathing in seas under Section 144 to prevent accidents or drownings.