Worst storm in decades: Residents pray as cyclone Biparjoy hits

Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy is about to make landfall tonight along the western coast of India near the Pakistani border. In anticipation of the storm, both countries have undertaken the evacuation of more than 170,000 people.

As of this morning, the severe cyclonic storm was approximately 110 km from Jakhau port in Gujarat, where it is forecast to arrive around 8:00 PM. to 8:30 p.m. local time, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD estimates that Biparjoy will reach maximum sustained winds of 115-125 km/h, with gusts of up to 140 km/h.

Much of western India and southern Pakistan are currently experiencing high tides and heavy rain, which has resulted in submerged roads, uprooted trees and damaged roofs due to high winds.

Biparjoy marks the first major storm of the year to threaten India and the first major threat to Pakistan since last year's devastating floods, which killed 1,700 people.

Recent studies indicate that cyclones in the Arabian Sea are becoming stronger and wetter, which is attributed to an increase in sea surface temperature of 1.2°C to 1.4°C in recent decades.

Residents of Gujarat, particularly in the Kutch region, have been enduring heavy rain and strong winds for the past two days. Adam Karim Dhobi, a 57-year-old ship owner and businessman, described this storm as the most severe he has seen since 1998. Precautionary measures have been taken in the region, such as relocating ships to safer areas.

The Gujarat government has evacuated approximately 100,000 people to safer locations and has issued warnings for strong tides, winds and rain. In many areas, roads are already flooded and trees and roofs have been uprooted by strong gusts.

Keep Reading

• Extreme weather update: Heavy rainfall and strong winds expected
• Dangerous Biporjoy At 4 Pm Today, 74,000 People Relocated
• Biporjoy Only Cyclone Making Strong Landfall In Gujarat Since 1965
• Cyclone Biparjoy: Heavy Rain And Gale Winds Hit Saurashtra-Kutch

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