Cyclonic Storm Biparjoy weakens into a deep depression, heavy rainfall lashes parts of Rajasthan

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department on Friday said that the Cyclonic Storm Biparjoy weakened further into a deep depression over Saurashtra and Kutch around tonight.

In its weather bulletin, IMD said, Cyclonic Storm Biparjoy over Saurashtra and Kutch moved nearly north eastward with a speed of 13 kilometres per hour during past six hours and lay centered about 20 kilometres west of Dholavira and 80 kilometres north-northeast of Bhuj”.

IMD said, “it is very likely to move nearly northeast wards and light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places are expected over Saurashtra and Kutch”.

“Isolated heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected over north Gujarat region and south Rajasthan today and tomorrow” it said.

IMD said gale wind speed reaching 70 to 80 kilometres per hour gusting to 90 kilometres per hour is likely to prevail over Kachchh, Gulf of Kutch and adjoining areas.

The cyclonic storm, following its landfall, left a trail of destruction as it damaged 5,120 electricity poles and rendered 4,600 villages without power even as the authorities said that no loss of human life has been reported.

More than 1,000 teams are working across eight districts of Gujarat to restore power in the aftermath of cyclone Biparjoy, a state government release said here on Friday evening.

To restore electricity, 1,127 teams are working in the districts of Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Morbi, Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Rajkot and Porbandar, said the release, adding that as many as 51 teams have been deployed to maintain operations of 714 substations in these areas

The Cyclone Biparjoy, which lashed the Kutch-Saurashtra region, has moved towards Rajasthan with several areas of Jalore and Barmer districts witnessing heavy rain on Friday.

The cyclone will weaken and move further over Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Pali and Sirohi where very heavy rainfall is likely, the official said.

IMD has sounded a “red” alert for Jalore and Barmer and more than 200 mm rainfall may occur in the areas.

It is likely to become squally wind speed reaching 50 to 60 kilometres per hour gusting to 70 kilometres per hour from today evening till midnight.

The Weather agency has asked for total suspension of fishing operations over northeast and adjoining east central Arabian Sea. It urged for judicious regulation of offshore and onshore activities.