Cyclone Biparjoy: Railways Cancelled 99 Trains Till June 18, 39 Short Terminated

Indian Railways has cancelled 23 more trains while short-terminated 2 trains and changed the origin station of 7 trains as a precaution considering Cyclone Bipajoy.

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The cyclone Biparjoy, which had been brewing over the Arabian Sea for several days, has made landfall in Gujarat's coastal area has affected the trains services due to which around 99 trains running through, originating or terminating in Biparjoy-affected areas of Gujarat will remain cancelled or short-terminated, Western Railway said.

The landfall process of extremely severe cyclonic storm 'Biparjoy' has begun, and it will continue till Thursday midnight, a senior weather scientist at India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

"23 trains have been cancelled, 3 trains short-terminated and 7 trains short-originated. With this, 99 trains have been cancelled, 39 trains have been short-terminated, while 38 trains short-originated as a precautionary measure till June 18, in view of the safety of passengers and train operations with respect to the onset of #CycloneBiparjoy," tweeted Sumit Thakur, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway.

Manorama Mohanty, MET Director, said that the speed of the wind is between 115 to 125 km per hour, and it can also go up to 140 km per hour, IMD said.

"Currently, the wind speed is between 115 to 125 per km hour, it can also go up to 140 km per hour. By midnight, wind speed might decrease," MET Director said. After cyclone Biparjoy made landfall on Gujarat's coastal area on Thursday, trees were uprooted, and hoardings fell in Dwarka as strong winds hit the district.

Meanwhile, IMD said Cyclone Biparjoy is a severe cyclone ahead of Saurashtra Kutch. "Cyclone Warning for Saurashtra and Kutch Coasts: RED MESSAGE.VSCS BIPARJOY at 2030IST today near lat 23.1N and lon 68.3E about 30km SW of Jakhau Port (Gujarat),110km NW of Devbhumi Dwarka. The landfall process is continuing," IMD tweeted.

"Till 11, its centre will come towards the land. The tidal waves will slowly decrease in the next 3 to 6 hours. On the 16th, heavy to very heavy rainfall activity may occur," IMD said. Moreover, renowned UAE astronaut Sultan Al-Neyadi shared stunning pictures of the severe cyclonic storm 'Biparjoy' from space.

"As promised in my previous video, here are some pictures of the cyclone #Biparjoy forming in the Arabian Sea that I clicked over two days from the International Space Station," the astronaut said in a tweet.

The pictures give a sense of the extent of severity of the storm as it approaches the Gujarat coast. Earlier, the Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), SK Mehta, visited Kandla to ensure preparedness and monitor the situation from Signal Station, in view of the cyclonic storm Biparjoy, along with senior officials of Port.

After Kandla Port in the state was closed, hundreds of trucks were standing still at Gandhidham, Kachchh. In view of the cyclone, a total of six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams evacuated 72 civilians from Rupen Bandar low-lying area and shifted them to NDH School in Dwarka.

According to NDRF, the evacuated civilians include 32 males, 25 females, and 15 children. Earlier today, Commander of Indian Coast Guard of Region (North West) Inspector General AK Harbola said that Cyclone Biparjoy will start between 6 pm to 8 pm

In response to this imminent threat, the armed forces have been deployed along the coastline to assist the villagers residing in the border region. In view of the cyclone, the Border Security Force (BSF) was also deployed along the coastline and has also intensified their efforts to provide assistance to the villagers residing in the border region.

The BSF has mobilized their resources and personnel to support the affected communities. According to the official statement, the unwavering commitment of BSF aims to protect valuable lives, mitigate suffering, maintain human dignity, and instil a sense of security among the border population.

The BSF said in its release that shelter is being provided to vulnerable villagers, ensuring their safety during this perilous time. 150 villagers from Thumari and Walawariwand villages have sought refuge in the BSF camp.

Earlier, BSF had accommodated around 100 villagers from Gunao village, close to the Jakhau coast, in one of its camps, demonstrating their commitment to safeguarding the lives of the border population in any conditions. As part of precautionary measures, Commercial flight operations at Gujarat's Jamnagar airport have been suspended till Friday.

According to the Jamnagar airport director, the airport has issued a NOTAM for three days -- Wednesday-Friday. Diesel and petrol required to operate the airport in an emergency have also been stored.

According to NOTAM, Air India, and Star Air have cancelled their scheduled flights. NOTAM means 'Notice to Airmen' -- it is issued at the airport for flights coming from outside. Earlier in the day, the IMD said cyclone 'Biparjoy' will cross Jakhau Port of Gujarat by Thursday night after making landfall as a very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS).

"Cyclone Warning for Saurashtra and Kutch Coasts: RED MESSAGE. VSCS BIPARJOY at 1130IST today near lat 22.8N and long 67.3E, about 140km WSW of Jakhau Port (Gujarat) and 190km WNW of Devbhumi Dwarka. To cross near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by tonight as VSCS," IMD said in a tweet on Thursday. Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel chaired a review meeting at the State Emergency Operation Center in Gandhinagar on Thursday morning.

Earlier on Wednesday, the IMD issued a Red alert for the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts, saying that VSCS (Very Severe Cyclonic Storm) 'Biparjoy' will cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts, between Mandvi and Karachi near Jakhau Port, by Thursday evening.

Warnings about extensive damage to temporary housing structures and falling of trees and branches due to high-speed winds, high tides, and heavy rainfall have already been issued by India Meteorological Department.

"Sea conditions will remain disturbed in the northeast Arabian Sea due to cyclone 'Biparjoy'. All fishing operations should remain suspended. Offshore activities, port and industrial activities, and oil explorations should be regulated today," the director general of IMD said.

Preparations for protection against the cyclone are in full swing on the Gujarat coasts. District authorities have also been sharing timely updates on evacuation measures and the provision of temporary shelters for evacuees.

"More than 47,000 people have been shifted to shelter homes in the Kutchh district. All pregnant women were moved to hospitals and other safe locations. Our aim is to ensure zero casualties. I urge people to stay safe wherever they are and avoid travel at this time," Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said.

Amid the approaching cyclone, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) deployed teams in Gujarat on Wednesday. The teams set about evacuating people and livestock from low-lying, coastal areas to safely and mobilising other emergency measures to save lives and property.

"NDRF and SDRF have been deployed at Mandvi in Kutchh and Naliya town, which are likely to be affected as cyclone 'Biparjoy' approaches," sub-inspector of Nalliya police station, VR Ulva, said.

Teams from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Indian Coast Guard have also been mobilised to assist locals, help with evacuation, and provide relief in affected areas.

"Indian army has deployed more than 27 relief columns across Gujarat and the forward locations of Mandvi, and Dwarka. Army personnel have jointly started relief operations with civil administration as well as NDRF teams," Wing Commander N Manish, Defence PRO, and spokesperson, MoD of Gujarat, said.