Cyclone Biparjoy: IMD issues flood warning in these areas

As Gujarat braces for Cyclone Biparjoy's landfall on Thursday, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a flood alert for a few districts. 

IMD said, Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar districts in Gujarat may get over 20 cm of rainfall on June 15 which could lead to low-lying flooding

The weather office also noted that Cyclone Biparjoy is likely to cause extensive damage in the state. The districts that are likely to be most impacted include Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar.

"Its damaging potential could be extensive," IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said at a press conference.

"We won't be surprised if these areas record more than 25 cm of rainfall. Usually, they do not receive such intense precipitation at this time of the year. Therefore, there is a risk of flooding in the low-lying areas," he cautioned.

The IMD official also reiterated that gusty winds and rain may cause extensive damage to standing crops, houses, roads, electricity and communication poles, and flooding of escape routes.

"Up to six-metre-high tidal waves are likely to inundate low-lying areas of Saurashtra and Kutch coasts. We have recommended evacuation of the population in such areas and action is being taken," Mohapatra said.

Biparjoy weakened from an extremely severe cyclone to a very severe cyclone on Tuesday. It is predicted to cross Saurashtra and Kutch in Gujarat and the adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi in Gujarat and Karachi in Pakistan near the Jakhau Port (Gujarat) around the evening of June 15 as a very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-150 kmph.

Sea conditions are phenomenal (waves could be 10 to 14 metres high) in the northeast and the adjoining east-central Arabian Sea. The IMD has recommended total suspension of all activities, including oil exploration, ship movement and fishing, until June 15.