Cyclone Biparjoy: Landfall begins in Gujarat’s Kutch – 10 big points

Cyclone Biparjoy, a severe weather phenomenon that emerged from the depths of the Arabian Sea, made landfall near Jakhau port in Kutch district of Gujarat. After intensifying over a period of ten days, the cyclone brought with it strong winds and heavy rainfall, posing a significant threat to coastal areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning regarding the possibility of widespread damage and the risk of flooding in low-lying areas. Authorities have swiftly evacuated thousands of people from sensitive areas, and relief and rescue operations are underway with the deployment of several response teams. As Cyclone Biparjoy continues its journey inland, it marks a crucial moment in the relentless battle between nature’s fury and human resilience, the need for preparedness and concerted efforts to mitigate the impact of such powerful weather events throws light on.

1. Landslide Initiation: According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), after ten days of travel, Cyclone Biparjoy that originated in the Arabian Sea has started making landfall near Jakhau port in Kutch district of Gujarat.

2. Strong winds and heavy rains: As the cyclone approached, strong winds and heavy rains lashed the coasts of Kutch and Saurashtra, forcing agencies to remain on high alert.

3. Completion of Landfall: According to IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the landfall process is expected to be completed by midnight with dense convective clouds already entering Kutch and Devbhoomi Dwarka districts.

4. Evacuation Efforts: In response to the IMD’s warning about the widespread destructive potential of the cyclone, the authorities have evacuated nearly one lakh people from vulnerable areas.

5. Relief and Rescue Operations: A total of 15 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, 12 State Disaster Response Force teams and personnel from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Coast Guard and Border Security Force have been deployed for relief and rescue operations.

6. Heavy rain warning: The IMD had earlier warned of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several districts including Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi and Junagadh.

7. Flood Hazard: IMD Director General Mohapatra expressed concern about the possibility of flooding in low-lying areas, with some areas potentially receiving more than 25 cm of rainfall, which is unusual for this time of the year.

8. Potential Disadvantages: Meteorologists warned of widespread damage to crops, homes, roads, power and communications infrastructure, as well as the risk of flooding along escape routes. Low-lying areas of Saurashtra and Kutch coasts are also at risk of submergence due to high tide.

9. Impact of previous cyclones: The memories of Cyclone Taukte, which hit the southern coast of Gujarat in 2021, still loom large. It was the most powerful tropical cyclone to hit India’s west coast in at least two decades, causing significant devastation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

10. Abnormal symptoms of diphtheria: Cyclone Biparjoy has displayed unique characteristics, having rapidly intensified from a cyclonic circulation into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm within 48 hours. Its continued strength is attributed to the unusually warm Arabian Sea, and it has become the longest-lasting cyclone in the Arabian Sea, surpassing the previous record.

As climate change continues to affect cyclonic storms, scientists emphasize the need to understand and prepare for the intensity and longevity of these weather events in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.