The Indian cricket team, along with several journalists, found themselves stranded in Barbados as Hurricane Beryl struck the Caribbean island on Monday morning. The team’s itinerary originally included a flight to New York, followed by a connecting flight to Dubai, and finally back to India. Scheduled to depart from Barbados on Monday at 11 am, their plans were abruptly disrupted by Beryl, a Category 3 hurricane that has now intensified into a perilous Category 4 storm.
The Hurricane effect has started in Barbados where team India is staying inside a five star hotel. No chance of departure today as well. pic.twitter.com/yeCgj2UV6o
— Vimal कुमार (@Vimalwa) July 1, 2024
As the hurricane made landfall, Indian media personnel covering the T20 World Cup began sharing alarming visuals of the severe weather on social media. Veteran sports journalist Vimal Kumar posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), showcasing the heavy rain and strong winds battering Barbados. Kumar expressed doubt about the team’s chances of departing soon due to the extreme weather conditions.
Scenes in Barbados right now as Hurricane Beryl approaches landfall. Weather channels saying Barbados may be spared the worst as compared to a few other Caribbean islands pic.twitter.com/ycBGAKNY8J
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) July 1, 2024
Other journalists from India have also shared videos and pictures, illustrating the chaotic scenes in Barbados. Reports indicate that the team’s departure remains uncertain as Bridgetown airport prepares for a potential shutdown in response to the hurricane.
The wind in Barbados is very strong right now. pic.twitter.com/6DqpSIcqUe
— Karishma Singh (@karishmasingh22) July 1, 2024
Hurricane warnings have been issued for Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadine Islands, Grenada, and Tobago. The National Hurricane Center has warned that Beryl will likely remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane as it reaches the Windward Islands. The storm is expected to bring 3 to 6 inches of rain across Barbados and the Windward Islands, posing significant risks to the region.
As Beryl continues to move through the Windward Islands into the eastern Caribbean, the Indian cricket team and accompanying journalists remain on high alert, awaiting further updates on their travel plans amidst the severe weather.