Cyclone Biparjoy: Gujarat, Mumbai on ALERT, Section 144 Imposed in Kutch; Nearly 100 Trains Cancelled

Cyclone Biparjoy LIVE Updates: Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Gujarat's Saurashtra and Kutch Coasts in view of the highly severe cyclonic storm “Biparjoy” over east-central and adjoining northeast Arabian Sea. The cyclone is expected to impact the state and Pakistan in the coming days. "Cyclone Alert for Saurashtra & Kutch Coast: Orange Message. ESCS BIPARJOY at 0530IST of today over Aeast central & adjoining NE Arabian Sea near lat 19.2N & long 67.7E, about 380km SSW of Devbhumi Dwarka. To cross near Jakhau Port, Gujarat by noon of June 15," the weather department tweeted today. On the other hand, Massive chaos can be witnessed at Mumbai airport following the temporary closure of the main runway due to “inclement weather”. Notably, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rain and thunderstorm in Mumbai today as cyclone Biparjoy has intensified into an 'extremely severe cyclonic storm’. Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to make landfall on the western coastline on June 15. Stay tuned to Timesnownews.com for all the updates on Cyclone Biparjoy.

• "In the wake of Cyclone Biparjoy, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has undertaken all precautionary measures as per the standard protocols, as a part of its monsoon contingency plan. CSMIA is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to activate all necessary measures to mitigate any potential operational impact in case of inclement weather conditions to facilitate safe operations," says CSMIA in a statement.
• 56 trains have been cancelled today in the Biparjoy-affected areas of Gujarat and from tomorrow onwards till 15th June 95 trains will remain cancelled due to the effect of Biparjoy: Western Railway.
• "We have issued an Orange alert for June 14 and a Red alert for June 15 for all districts. From June 15 we will see a landfall in it and will move towards the north-northeast (NNE) direction. We appeal to people to stay at safe locations", said IMD Director General.
• Cyclone Biparjoy is slowly moving in the north direction with a speed of 5 kmph and will change direction after June 14. A very severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 125-135 km/h is likely to hit Saurashtra, Kutch and Pakistan coast by the afternoon of June 15. There will be heavy rains in Saurashtra, Kutch on June 14-15, said Mrityunjay Mohapatra, Director General, IMD.
• Damage is expected over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Morbi and Junagarh and Rajkot districts of Gujarat on June 15, said IMD in a latest advisory.
• We have deployed two teams in addition to the already available three teams in Mumbai as a precautionary measure. Further, we have moved 4 other teams to Gujarat. Our teams at Pune are also ready, said NDRF.
• Valsad, Gujarat: Strong winds & high tide hits Gujarat coast as cyclone Biporjoy intensifies. Visuals from Tithal Beach.

• Signal number 10 has been put up and there are no ships at Kandla port. A temporary shelter centre has been set up for the people, with all facilities,said Om Prakash, PRO, Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, Gujarat
• Amit Shah to chair meeting with Disaster Management Ministers of states, UTs tomorrow.
• PM Modi chairs high-level meeting.

• Section 144 imposed in Kutch.
• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Pakistan has also issued directions that all high-rise buildings and mobile towers in Karachi must be lit up by beacon lights and big advertisement boards on poles and buildings should either be strengthened or removed altogether if they pose a threat to passing traffic and the people.
• Pakistani authorities have started evacuating people from the low-lying coastal areas in the southern Sindh province as they braced for the approaching Cyclone Biparjoy which continues to gain strength and is likely to cause heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in the country.
• Schools in coastal Kutch, Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka and Junagadh districts in the state’s Saurashtra region have been shut as a precautionary measure. Besides, schools in Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar and Junagadh districts will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday, while those in Kutch have been asked to stay shut till June 15.
• Popular sea beaches in Gujarat like Mandvi in the Kutch, Chowpaty in Porbandar, Shivrajpur near Dwarka in Devbhumi Dwarka have been closed.
• Owing to the high waves alert, Tithal Beach in Gujarat's Valsad has been temporarily shut for tourists.
• PTI reported that an emergency meeting is underway at Gujarat's Morbi Seva Sadan in view of cyclone Biparjoy.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a meeting to review the situation related to Cyclone Biparjoy at 1pm today: Sources
• High tide hits a coastal area of Kachchh in Gujarat, watch the video below.

• Taking to Twitter, national carrier Air India has issued a statement saying some of its flights running from Mumbai will be delayed due closure of runway 09/27 because of inclement weather. "Inclement weather conditions and the temporary closure of Runway 09/27 at the Mumbai airport, in addition to other consequential factors beyond our control have resulted in delays and cancellation of some of our flights. We regret the inconvenience caused to our guests, as we make all effort to minimise the disruptions,” Air India tweeted.