Cyclone Biparjoy: Ensure people are shifted to safety, PM Modi says

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday reviewed the preparedness of central agencies as well as Gujarat government to deal with the situation arising out of the impending cyclone 'Biparjoy', and directed authorities to take measures to ensure people in vulnerable locations are safely evacuated.

During the review meeting, the India Meteorological Department said the cyclone biparjoy is expected to cross Saurashtra and Kutch between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by noon of June 15 as a "very severe cyclonic storm" with maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 145 kmph.

The cyclonic system is likely to cause heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of Gujarat, including extremely heavy falls in Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi and Junagadh districts of Gujarat on June 14-15.

The PM asked officials to ensure maintenance of all essential services such as power, telecommunications, health, drinking water etc. Besides, he directed that the safety of animals should also be ensured.

The meeting was also attended by home minister Amit Shah. His ministry is also reviewing the situation 24x7 and is in touch with the state government and the central agencies concerned.

The National Disaster Response Force has, meanwhile, pre-positioned 12 teams, which are equipped with boats, tree-cutters, telecom equipment etc., and has kept 15 teams on standby.

Similarly, Indian Coast Guard and the Navy have deployed ships and helicopters for relief, search and rescue operations. Air Force and engineer task force units of the Army, with boats and rescue equipment, are on standby for deployment.

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