AHMEDABAD: The very severe cyclonic circulation Biparjoy started landfall on Gujarat coast around 6.30pm on Thursday.
Cyclone Biparjoy Landfall Live Updates
Manorama Mohanty, the head of India Meteorological Department (IMD) Gujarat, told TOI that the landfall process commenced in the evening hours, which would continue till midnight.
"From 3 pm onwards, the cyclone is approaching the Gujarat coast at the speed of 12 kmph. The wall cloud region of the cyclone has already touched Saurashtra region. These areas are experiencing strong winds and heavy rainfall," she said, adding that the approximate diameter of the cyclonic circulation is 300-350 km.
In Saurashtra and Kutch, about 1 lakh sq km area is affected by the cyclone, according to experts. The intensity near the centre is 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph, mentioned in the IMD bulletin. At major centres such as Kandla, Porbandar and Dwarka, the wind speed was observed at 40 to 50 kmph.
At 6.30pm, the eye of the cyclonic circulation was 80 km west-southwest of Jakhau, 110 km west-southwest of Naliya, and 130 km west-northwest of Devbhoomi Dwarka. The landfall is likely to take place between Mandvi and Karachi near Jakhau port. The wind speed during the landfall is expected to be around 115 to 125 kmph. The impact would also give a very rough tide which can go up to six meters, cautioned the IMD forecast.
Due to the landing of the cyclone, majority of the talukas of Saurashtra and Kutch received heavy rains - Jamjodhpur in Jamnagar got 55 mm rainfall between 2 pm to 6 pm, whereas other talukas with major rainfall included Bhuj, Gandhidham, Bhachau and Mandvi in Kutch, Dhrol, Lalpur and Kalavad in Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and Porbandar that got over 20 mm rainfall on Thursday afternoon.
Several other areas of the state including Ahmedabad and districts in north Gujarat also experienced strong winds and light to moderate rainfall on Tuesday evening. IMD forecast has mentioned chances of heavy rainfall in parts of Saurashtra, Kutch and north Gujarat on Friday due to the impact of the cyclone.
