Gujarat braces for cyclone ‘Biparjoy’: 50,000 evacuated

In an urgent and coordinated response to Cyclone ‘Biparjoy’, India’s most formidable weather behemoth in recent memory, authorities have mobilised an unprecedented evacuation of 50,000 residents from Gujarat’s coastal areas. The massive evacuation drive, orchestrated in a race against the looming landfall, promises to relocate an additional 5,000 by this evening.
From Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to the diligent relief workers on the ground, the nation is holding its breath, bracing for the devastating storm churning with unparalleled ferocity towards the Gujarat coast. With the cyclone predicted to shift northeast towards Saurashtra and Kutch, and make landfall near Jakhau Port on Thursday evening, Defence Minister Singh has assured the public of the armed forces’ readiness to handle any emergency arising from the cyclone’s wrath.
The low-lying areas of Gujarat, especially the vulnerable district of Kutch, are under special attention with a major evacuation operation underway. As the cyclone roars closer, nine talukas, including those in Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Porbandar, and Rajkot districts, have already experienced more than 50mm of torrential rainfall.
In Mandvi town, fears mount as the centuries-old ship-building industry faces possible destruction. As the monstrous storm advances, at least 20 ships in varying stages of construction sit exposed on the shores, unable to be relocated due to their sheer size. A sense of dread permeates the local community as the cyclone threatens to wipe out this historic industry.
The Gujarat government, armed forces, and local authorities have rallied an impressive force, deploying 18 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 12 teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Further bolstering the disaster response strategy, 115 teams of the state road and building department and 397 teams of the state electricity department stand poised to restore connectivity and power supply.
The Indian Army, Navy, and Border Security Force (BSF) have also joined the relief operations. State Commissioner of Relief, Alok Kumar Pandey, highlighted the importance of clear communication, revealing the deployment of teams carrying HAM radio sets and satellite phones for efficient coordination.
The Saurashtra-Kutch region is already bearing witness to heavy rainfall and fierce winds. Meteorological predictions warn of the intensity of rainfall increasing, with certain areas, such as Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, and Jamnagar, expected to face the brunt of extremely heavy rains.
Preparedness is key as the cyclone is predicted to unleash wind speeds of 125-135 kmph, gusting up to 150 kmph on Thursday along districts including Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh, and Morbi. Authorities warn of a potential storm surge of 2-3 metres above the astronomical tide, likely to flood low-lying areas of the affected districts during the cyclone’s landfall.
As Gujarat girds itself for this historic battle against nature’s fury, the indomitable spirit of the nation stands firm, promising to endure and overcome. The land of lions, undeterred, stands poised to roar back against the howling winds of ‘Biparjoy’.