Prime Minister Modi Urges Evacuation as Cyclone Biparjoy Approaches Gujarat

12-06-2023 : On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of people residing in vulnerable regions in the path of Cyclone Biparjoy, anticipated to make landfall in Gujarat’s Kutch. Leading a high-level meeting, the prime minister reviewed the preparedness of both the central government and the Gujarat administration to effectively respond to the impending cyclone, which is also expected to affect Pakistan.

In a tweet following the meeting, Modi stated that rescue teams were actively engaged in evacuating individuals from vulnerable areas and maintaining essential services. He expressed his prayers for the safety and well-being of everyone affected. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) released a statement indicating that Modi has instructed senior officials to take all necessary measures to ensure the safe evacuation of people in susceptible locations by the state government.

Additionally, the prime minister directed the authorities to prioritize the preservation and restoration of vital services, including power, telecommunications, health, and drinking water. Modi also emphasized the need to ensure the safety of animals and ordered the establishment of 24×7 control rooms to coordinate response efforts.

The meeting witnessed the attendance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P K Mishra, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Earth Sciences Secretary M Ravichandran, Member Secretary of the National Disaster Management Authority Kamal Kishore, and India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, among others.

The IMD provided updates during the meeting, indicating that Cyclone Biparjoy is anticipated to cross Saurashtra and Kutch between Mandvi and Karachi, near the Jakhau Port of Gujarat, as a highly intense cyclonic storm by noon on June 15. The cyclone is expected to have a maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph, gusting up to 145 kmph.

Coastal districts of Gujarat are likely to experience heavy rainfall, including extremely heavy downpours in Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, and Jamnagar, and heavy to very heavy rainfall in Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi, and Junagarh on June 14-15, influenced by the cyclone.

The PMO statement highlighted that the IMD has been consistently issuing bulletins since the onset of the cyclonic system on June 6, providing the latest forecasts to all concerned states and agencies.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been continuously monitoring the situation 24×7, maintaining communication with the state government and relevant central agencies. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 12 teams equipped with boats, tree-cutters, and telecom equipment, while 15 teams remain on standby. The Indian Coast Guard and Navy have also deployed ships and helicopters for relief, search, and rescue operations. Additionally, the Air Force and Army’s engineering task force units are prepared for deployment, and surveillance aircraft and helicopters have been stationed along the coast. The Army, Navy, and Coast Guard have activated Disaster Relief teams (DRTs) and Medical Teams (MTs), ready to respond as needed.

The prime minister received a briefing on the measures undertaken by the Gujarat government to tackle the cyclone. Review meetings with the district administration have been conducted at the chief minister’s level, and the entire state machinery is fully prepared to address any emergency situation. The cabinet secretary and home secretary are maintaining constant communication with the chief secretary of Gujarat and the relevant central ministries and agencies.