Cyclone Biparjoy causes power outages in 45 villages in Gujarat
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Morbi: Over 300 electric poles were damaged by heavy rains and gusty winds in Gujarat's Morbi district after Cyclone Biparjoy made landfall in coastal areas yesterday evening. This led to power outages in around 45 villages.
Two power stations in the Maliya Taluka of Morbi have been shut down due to the cyclonic storm, reported ANI.
Officials with the Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL) said they are trying to restore power in nine villages. "Strong winds broke electric wires and poles, causing a power outage in 45 villages of Maliya tehsil. We are restoring power in 9 villages and power has been restored in the remaining villages," said PGVCL's executive engineer, Morbi, JC Goswami.
The cyclone uprooted trees and electric poles on Thursday evening and at least 22 people were injured and 23 animals were killed. Winds brought down over 524 trees and electric poles across the state. Power supply has been affected in around 940 villages.
IMD Director Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the cyclone has moved from sea to land and is centred towards Sauarashtra-Kutch. "Cyclone Biporjoy moved northeastwards and crossed the Saurashtra-Kutch adjoining Pakistan coast close to the Jakhau port, Gujarat. The cyclone has now moved from sea to land and is centred towards Saurashtra-Kutch."
The Relief Commissioner of Gujarat Alok Pandey warned of the possibility of flash floods and intermittent rainfall. "The eye of the storm is currently near the Pakistan-Kutch border. The wind had an average speed of 78 kmph. There are chances of power outages. As per IMD's forecast, the storm will reach southern Rajasthan tomorrow. People have been alerted in the low-lying areas. There are chances of flash floods. Intermittent rainfall is expected across Gujarat with heavy rainfall near the storm epicentre."
According to IMD, Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to weaken by Friday morning and move into a depression by this evening. It is expected to move northeastwards.
"The severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy lay centred over the Saurashtra-Kutch region, 30 km north of Naliya as of 0230 IST today," IMD said in a tweet."It is expected to move northeastwards and weaken into a Cyclonic Storm by early morning on June 16, and into a depression by the same evening over south Rajasthan," said the weather forecast.
"The intensity of the cyclone has reduced to 105-115 kmph. The category has changed from very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS) to severe cyclonic storm (SCS). There may be heavy rains in Rajasthan on June 16 (Friday)," said the IMD director.
A red alert has been issued for the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts on Wednesday itself which said the VSCS (Very Severe Cyclonic Storm) 'Biparjoy' will cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts, between Mandvi and Karachi near Jakhau Port.