New Delhi: As the severe cyclone Biparjoy inching towards Gujarat Coast, parts of the Saurashtra-Kutch region received heavy rains accompanied by strong winds.
As per Indian Meteorological Department, the landfall process of Cyclone Biparjoy will start Thursday evening at 5 PM close to Gujarat's fishing port Jakhau and continue till night with a wind speed of 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph.
The Weather agency has also sounded a "Red alert" for Saurashtra and Kutch coasts. Biparjoy is currently located 210 km west-south-west of Jakhau port, 220 km west-south-west of Devbhoomi Dwarka, and 230 km west-south-west of Naliya.
The Met office has also predicted rain all over Gujarat for four days from Thursday, with "heavy to very heavy rain" likely over Kutch and Saurashtra.
The maximum impact of the severe storm will be seen in Kutch, Jamnagar, and Devbhoomi Dwarka districts, said the IMD.
"Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi & Junagarh districts of Gujarat and Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over remaining districts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat region on 15th June" IMD said in statement.
In view of the situation the state administration has shifted more than 74,000 people living near the coast, as a precaution and deployed disaster management units for rescue and relief measures.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday NDRF DG Atul Karwal, said , "A total of 30 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been deployed in several parts of Gujarat".
"18 teams of NDRF and 12 teams of SDRF have been deployed across Gujarat in which the maximum team is in Kutch. Other detailed preparations have also been done" the NDRF Chief
said.
He added that the Pregnant women have been identified and shifted to hospitals. Reserve NDRF teams at 15 more places have been deployed across the state to minimise the loss of life and property".
Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a review meeting at the State Emergency Operation Center in Gandhinagar on Thursday morning regarding Cyclone Biparjoy.
As many as 187 cyclone shelters have been set up where power generators have been installed to ensure power supply in case grid power supply fails.
Ahead of the landfall on Thursday, the Ministry of Defence said all armed forces including the Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard have made necessary preparations to provide assistance to the local people of Gujarat.
Ministry of Defence Spokesperson in Gujarat, Wing Commander N Manish on Thursday said, " The Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard have prepared themselves to provide assistance to the locals in view of Cyclone Biparjoy in Gujarat." (UNI)
