Coastal states on alert amid warning of strengthening cyclonic storm

India's western states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and other coastal regions are on alert after meteorologists warned that a cyclonic storm over the Arabian sea would intensify over the next 24 hours.

Biparjoy, the first cyclonic storm over the Arabian Sea this year, originated over the southeast Arabian Sea on June 6 and had landfall over Saurashtra and Kutch on June 15 before weakening into a depression on June 18. The cyclonic storm had a total life of 13 days and three hours (depression to depression), more than double the average life of severe cyclonic storms of six days and three hours over the Arabian Sea, the IMD said in a report on Biparjoy.

In the past 48 hours, Cyclone 'Biparjoy', the first storm brewing in the Arabian Sea this year, rapidly intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm. The cyclone is further expected to intensify in next 24 hours, the IMD has said.

Cyclone Biparjoy: Westerly winds continue to persists over south Arabian Sea. The depth of westerly winds has increased from 1.5 to 4.5 km above mean sea level. There has been some increase of rainfall activity over Kerala.

The weather department said that it was likely to become a very severe cyclonic storm within the next 24 hours. | World News

The storm over the Arabian Sea is likely to cross between Al Ghaidah (Yemen) and Salalah (Oman) in the early hours of October 25. | Latest News India

Several factors, including warming of the sea surface and sluggish movement of the cyclonic storm, contributed to making Cyclone Biparjoy, the longest-lived cyclone in the history of the North Indian Ocean.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued an orange alert for the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts of Gujarat as extremely severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy was likely to cross the Jakhau Port area by the evening of June 15. There is a strong possibility of this storm reaching Saurashtra-Kutch and the coast adjoining Pakistan as a very severe cyclonic storm on June 15, IMD official said. The effects of Biparjoy were evident as strong winds and high tidal waves were witnessed on Gujarat coast and in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a review meeting and took stock of the preparedness over cyclone Biparjoy. Fishermen in the area have been warned to stay away from the coast for five days. The North Western Railway (NWR) has cancelled some train services as the cyclonic storm ‘Biparjoy’ is likely to enter southwest Rajasthan on June 16, officials said on Monday. According to the Director of Information and Publication Railway Board, Delhi, “Disaster Management room has been activated and field staff has been put on alert mode. Emergency control rooms have been opened in Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Ahmedabad and Gandhidham.”

Cyclone Biparjoy unleashed destructive wind speeds of up to 140 kmph and incessant rains as trees and electricity poles were uprooted, while seawater entered villages located in low-lying areas.