PM Modi holds a review meeting as cyclonic storm Biparjoy intensifies, Mumbai, Gujarat on alert

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a review meeting about the situation related to the extreme severe cyclone storm Biparjoy, which is likely to hit the Gujarat coasts June 15.

The meeting was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, IMD Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, NDRF chief Atul Karwal, and other senior officials at the Prime Minister office here.

Earlier, the India Meteorological Department had issued an “orange alert” for Saurashtra & Kutch Coasts in view of an extremely severe cyclonic storm.

It also warned of “very heavy rainfall” and strong winds with a speed of 120 to 135 kmph gusting to 145 kmph from Thursday morning in the coastal areas of Saurashtra, Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagadh and Morbi districts of Gujarat.

In view of the situation, the weather agency has issued LW 4 Signal at all the ports of Gujarat.

Regional Director of Meteorological Mohanti said that “the impact of this possible storm is likely to be seen in 6 coastal districts and some other areas of the state mostly from June 14th”.

Meanwhile the fishermen have also been advised not to venture into the sea till 15 June.

Officials in coastal Devbhumi Dwarka said around 1,300 people have been shifted to safer places so far in this regard.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a video conference with the districts from the State Emergency Operation Center and took stock of the situation.

Nine ministers will be responsible for disaster management guidance to operators of coastal districts and will remain in the disaster for three days.

In view of the situation the Gujarat government has also declared holidays for schools in coastal Kutch, Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka and Junagadh districts in the state’s Saurashtra region as a precautionary measure.