Representational.
The severe cyclonic storm named 'Biparjoy' is expected to undergo further intensification and transform into an extremely severe cyclonic storm within the next 12 hours. However, current forecasts indicate that Gujarat is unlikely to be directly affected by the cyclone.
As per the IMD's latest forecast, 'Biparjoy' lay centred at 1130 am over the east-central Arabian Sea about 700 km west-northwest of Goa, 620 km west-southwest of Mumbai, 590 km south-southwest of Porbandar and 900 km south of Karachi.
An IMD official stated that although 'Biparjoy' is projected to pass around 200-300 km away from the Porbandar coast, the western state can still expect thunderstorms and strong winds over the next five days. The latest forecast predicts the cyclone's trajectory, indicating that 'Biparjoy' will gradually move north-northeast wards in the next 24 hours and then shift to a north-north-westward direction over the following three days.
Precautions are still advised as the cyclone's impact could still result in adverse weather conditions. "Fishermen have been warned against venturing into the Arabian Sea during the next five days and all fishing activities have been suspended."
"The cyclonic storm currently lays 600 km from Porbandar. As it approaches, the port signal warning will be changed accordingly. For now, the cyclone is likely to pass from a distance of 200-300 km from Porbandar and 200 km from Nalia (Kutch). As far as the current forecast is concerned, it is not likely to hit Gujarat," said the director of the Ahmedabad IMD Manorama Mohanty.
"The cyclone is moving in the near northerly direction which continues for now. It is likely to change its movement to northeastward in the next 24 hours. Thereafter, the movement of the cyclone will be north-northwestward. Gujarat will witness thunderstorm activity during the next five days with wind speed remaining high especially in the Saurashtra-Kutch region," she added.
"During the next two days, the Saurashtra-Kutch region will witness a wind speed of up to 30-40 kmph. Thereafter, the region may witness wind speeds of up to 30-50 kmph gusting to 50 kmph, especially in coastal areas during June 13-15. Wind speed inside the sea will gradually increase from Sunday ranging from 35-45 kmph to 50 kmph of Saturday to 40-50 kmph gusting to 55 kmph, then to 50-60 kmph on June 12 and from 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph on Jun 13-14. As far as the current forecast is concerned, the cyclone is not likely to hit Gujarat in the next five days," stated the official.
Authorities have dispatched teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to the districts of Porbandar, Gir Somnath, and Valsad. The Indian Coast Guard has been reaching out to the fishing community, seafarers, and stakeholders of Gujarat, Daman and Diu to take requisite precautions and safety measures.