The weather department has issued warnings of a severe cyclone approaching India’s west coast, which has gained strength and poses a potential threat to Gujarat, a western state of India, as well as southern parts of Pakistan. The cyclone, named Biparjoy, is predicted to make landfall on Thursday afternoon between Mandvi in Gujarat and Karachi in Pakistan. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that it could reach maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 km/h (78-84 mph), with gusts up to 150 km/h (93 mph).
While some of the affected districts in coastal Gujarat are sparsely populated, limiting potential damage, heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected to impact nearly a dozen districts. In response, fishermen in Gujarat have been advised to stay ashore, with the government already recalling 21,000 boats from the sea. Precautionary measures have been taken at offshore oil installations, and major ports such as Kandla and Mundra in Gujarat have been put on alert, with other ports advised to take preventive action.
