Cyclone Biparjoy intensifies into extremely severe cyclonic storm: IMD
What's the story
The very severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy, currently located over the east-central Arabian Sea, intensified into an "extremely severe" cyclonic storm at around 5:30am on Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
In its latest forecast, the weather office said Cyclone Biparjoy is set to head northward and arrive at Saurashtra and Kutch coasts and adjoining Pakistan by Thursday (June 15).
Context
Why does this story matter?
Earlier, the weather department issued alerts for Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, alerting that the cyclonic storm could cause heavy downpours and strong winds in the coastal areas of these states.
It is worth noting that the North Indian Ocean has formed two cyclonic storms in about a month. Earlier, Cyclone Mocha led to widespread havoc upon making its landfall in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Details
IMD provides details on Cyclone Biparjoy
In its latest bulletin, the IMD said, "VSCS BIPARJOY intensified into an ESCS at 0530IST today, about 480 km SSW of Porbandar, 530 km SSW of Dwarka, and 610 km SSW of Naliya."
"To cross Saurashtra & Kutch and adj. Pakistan coasts bw Mandvi, Gujarat and Karachi, Pakistan around noon of 15th June as VSCS," it added.
Twitter Post
Check out IMD's latst weather update
VSVS Biparjoy over eastcentral Arabian Sea at 0230 hours IST of 11th June, 2023 about 510 km south-southwest of Porbandar. To intensify into an ESCS during next 06 hours. To reach near Pakistan and adjoining Saurashtra & Kutch coasts around afternoon of 15th June, 2023 as a VSCS pic.twitter.com/fE47T9gOna
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) June 10, 2023
More details
Rajathan, Kerala, Karnataka to receive downpours: IMD
Part of Rajasthan will witness rain this week, with the state's western and southern parts also forecasted to receive rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday.
Meanwhile, isolated parts of coastal Karnataka and Kerala are set to experience heavy downpours in the next three days.
Notably, monsoon rains were scheduled to arrive in Kerala last Sunday, but it was reportedly delayed amid the cyclonic storm.
Know more
KPT issues red alert, fishing communities instructed to halt operations
On Saturday, fishing communities were asked to halt operations for the next five days in the central and eastern Arabian Sea and along the regions of Indian Saurashtra and Kutch.
On the other hand, Pakistan's Karachi Port Trust (KPT) issued a "red alert" and emergency guidelines as the now extremely severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy over the east-central Arabian Sea continues to maintain its intensity.
Further information
Cyclone Biparjoy-led rains havoc in Pakistan
Over 25 people died, and 145 were injured as heavy rains swept through Pakistan's northwest region last week. As per reports, hail and rain hit the Karak, Bannu, and Lakki Marwat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Moreover, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asked officials to set up emergency measures amid Cyclone Biparjoy's forecasted arrival this week.
Twitter Post
Satellite view of Cyclone Biparjoy's advancement
Satellite time-lapse shows the #CycloneBiparjoy developing from a circulation to a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm in the East Central Arabian Sea. Cyclone is likely to cause landfall at #India or Pakistan coast by 15 June.
— IndiaMetSky Weather (@indiametsky) June 10, 2023
•System is also developing a eye which can be seen at the… pic.twitter.com/wzqcPUCX1W