It is likely to reach near Pakistan Coast on June 15
By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, June 11:
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD on Saturday night forecast that the cyclonic storm Biparjoy (Biporjoy) is likely to intensify further into an extremely severe cyclonic storm during next 06 hours and was very likely to move northwards and reach near Pakistan coast around evening of June 15.
The cyclone moved with a speed of 7 KMPH and lay centred at 8.30 pm on Saturday over the same region near latitude 17.3 degree N and longitude 67.3 E, about 600 km West-South West of Mumbai, 540 km South-South West of Porbandar (Gujarat), 600 km South-South West of Dwarka (Gujarat), 680 km South of Naliya (Kutch, Gujarat) and 840 km South of Karachi. It is likely to reach Gujarat by Monday, the IMD statement read.
The IMD has also forecast torrential rains with wind blowing at 45 to 55 knots which may exceed up to 65 knots in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa and Kerala in the next 24 hours. The IMD has warned fishermen not to venture into the sea during cyclone, Dr Sushma Nair, Scientist, Regional Meteorological Centre, IMD told the media.
In another development, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has made the Indian fishing boats Western Coast to return to harbour after shepherding and warning them for which the ICG s pressed into service 04-06 ships and DORNEIR aircraft, an official statement said.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai has been in touch with its counterparts in Oman, Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan coast. The Navigational warnings in the form of NAVTEX and NAVAREA have been issued and International Safety Net activated, to ensure that a Search and Rescue assistance is available for Indian vessels and crew operating in their waters.
Besides, remote operating stations of MRCCs and ICG operation, being manned 24×7 are also guiding merchant traffic to safety and coordinating with stakeholders like ONGC, Director General of Shipping, Port, Dhow associations and state Disaster Management authorities for contingency measures during cyclone.
