16 June 2023

At least 2 people are killed as Cyclone Biparjoy batters the Gujarat coast, while areas of Rajasthan are under Orange Alert.

The'severe' Cyclonic Storm Biparjoy, according to IMD authorities, is predicted to travel northeast and is centred over the Saurashtra-Kutch region. On Friday, Rajasthan is expected to receive heavy rains.

IMD tweeted that as of 02:30 IST today, the strong cyclonic storm Biparjoy was centred over the Saurashtra-Kutch region, 30 km north of Naliya.

It was predicted to weaken and move northeastward, becoming a depression across south Rajasthan by the same day's evening and a cyclonic storm by early morning on June 16.

The cyclone, according to IMD Director Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, has now made its way from the sea to land and is centred in Saurashtra-Kutch.

In close proximity to the Gujarati port of Jakhau, Cyclone Biporjoy continued northeast and traversed the Saurashtra-Kutch region, which borders the Pakistani coast.The cyclone has already crossed over to land and is centred near Saurashtra-Kutch, according to Mohapatra, who spoke to ANI.

"The cyclone's speed has dropped to between 105 and 115 kmph. Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) has been replaced with severe cyclonic storm (SCS). On June 16 (Friday), Rajasthan may get severe rainfall, he noted.

After making landfall in Gujarat's coastal regions, Cyclone Biparjoy's intensity decreased on the night between Thursday and Friday, dropping from "very severe" to "severe."

IMD had previously stated that storm Biparjoy, a very severe storm, was heading ahead of Saurashtra Kutch.