Cyclone Biparjoy makes landfall on Gujarat coast

Trees and electricity poles were uprooted and at least two people died as cyclone Biparjoy made landfall in Gujarat's Kutch district, bringing winds sustaining at 115-125k/hr as thousands of rescue workers stood by while close to 100,000 residents were already moved out of their homes.

- Maulik Pathak and Jayashree Nandi

A system roughly 300km wide, with the eye of the storm alone spread across a 50km diameter, Biparjoy brought with it storm surges 2-3m high and winds that gusted up to 140k/hr. The storm was expected to sustain at the "very severe cyclone" strength till landfall was complete, which was expected by midnight on Thursday.

"The landfall process started around 6.30pm with the wall cloud of Biparjoy on Jakhau coast. The entire process will be completed by midnight," said. Manorama Mohanty, director of India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ahmedabad centre.

Jakhau and Mandvi towns of Kutch bore the brunt of the storm, with temporary sheds and hoardings collapsing due to the howling winds, while many low-lying localities were flooded following the incessant rain. Officials said conditions were likely to remain treacherous in these and adjoining regions till Friday morning, with the heavy downpour extending to parts of Rajasthan.

"It will weaken gradually at night and by tomorrow (Friday) morning, it is expected to have wind speed of a cyclone (65 to 75 kmph). At the moment coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch are recording very high wind speed of 115 to 125 kmph. The tidal waves will also reduce in height over next 6 to 7 hours. Heavy to extremely heavy rain will continue. On June 16 and 17 we are expecting very to extremely heavy rain over Rajasthan," said M Mohapatra, director general, IMD.