Thousands evacuated across India and Pakistan ahead of cyclone
India and Pakistan are bracing for a severe cyclone, with tens of thousands of people being evacuated across both countries.
Biparjoy, a cyclone originating from the Arabian Sea, is projected to make landfall in Gujarat’s Kutch region in western India. In Pakistan, the storm is expected to hit Sindh province, affecting Karachi city.
Seven people have already died in India due to heavy rains.
The Gujarat government has already evacuated nearly 38,000 people from coastal districts. There have been warnings of potential blackouts and floods. Train services have been suspended in the region and two major ports in India – Kandla and Mundra – have seen operations halted.
Gujarat’s coastal areas, including Kutch and Rajkot districts, have already experienced heavy rains and strong winds, resulting in the loss of lives, uprooted trees, and a wall collapse.
As the cyclone approached the coast, high tides were observed in the Dwarka region. In Kutch, powerful waves swept away several tents at Mandvi Beach, a popular tourist spot. Authorities are evacuating individuals within a 0-10km range from the affected area with the assistance of the army, navy, and state and national relief forces.
In neighbouring Maharashtra, heavy rains and high tidal waves have been reported in various regions. Tragically, four boys who had ventured into the Arabian Sea off Mumbai’s Juhu area were found dead.
In Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority has relocated approximately 65,000 people from the coasts of Sindh to safer locations. The cyclone is reported to be only 300 km away from the coastal area of Kati Bandar. The weather office has predicted heavy rains and strong winds for districts including Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Allayar, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Sanghar.