Cyclonic storm Biparjoy is intensifying rapidly. The IMD predicted that the wind speed would be 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph over Saurashtra and Kutch coasts on June 10. It is very likely to intensify further to 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph the next day, June 11. The wind speed will be 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph on June 12. For the next two days on June 13 and 14, wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph would occur.
The Meteorological Department has said that the sea condition is likely to be rough on June 10 and very likely to be rough to very rough from June 11 to 14. The department has issued an alert for heavy rains in many states including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Goa.
Warning of a cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday said the ‘extremely severe’ cyclonic storm Biparjoy is expected to intensify further in the next 24 hours and move north-northeastwards. “Very Severe Cyclonic Storm BIPARJOY over east-central Arabian Sea. Very likely to move north-northeastwards during next 24 hours,” the IMD said in a tweet.
Due to Cyclone Biparjoy, high waves have been observed at Tithal Beach in Valsad on the Arabian Sea coast. As a precautionary measure, Tithal Beach has been closed for tourists till June 14.
Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea
Valsad tehsildar TC Patel said, “We asked fishermen not to venture into the sea and they all have returned. People will be shifted to the seaside village if needed. Shelters have been made for them. We have closed Tithal Beach for tourists till June 14.”
Earlier, with Cyclone Biparajoy forecast to intensify in the next 36 hours, the Meteorological Department has also advised fishermen not to venture into the sea off the coast of Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep. The districts in Kerala where a yellow alert has been issued for Friday are Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Kozhikode and Kannur.