Cylcone Biparjoy to intensify in 24 hours. Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra on alert

The wind speed may go up to 55 knots on June 10, 11 and 12, IMD said

PTI06_08_2023_000147B High tidal waves crash on the shore at the Vizhinjam harbour in Thiruvananthapuram | PTI

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday that the "very severe" cyclonic storm Biparjoy is expected to intensify further and move north-northeastwards in the next 24 hours. The IMD has warned that Biparjoy, the first cyclone in the Arabian Sea this year, could cause heavy rain and strong winds in coastal areas of Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra.

On Friday, fishermen in Gujarat were also called back. As a precautionary measure, Tithal beach in Valsad has been closed after high waves were deserved, ANI reported. The weather department had earlier advised fishermen not to venture into the seas off the coast of Kerala, Goa and Lakshadweep. The cyclone is centered about 640 kilometers south-southwest of Gujarat's coastal Porbandar district.

"Due to the cyclone, the wind speed may go up to 45 to 55 knots on June 10,11 and 12. The speed may also touch the 65-knot mark,” the IMD said. In accordance with international procedure, ports are advised to hoist "signals" whenever adverse weather is expected over them in oceanic areas. The step seeks to alert vessels and ensure the safety of maritime activities. Biparjoy will likely make landfall in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, as the southwest monsoon arrived in Kerala on Thursday, yellow alert has been issued in nine districts of the state. The progress of the monsooon, which arrived seven days later than the normal date, is being monitored. Meteorological officials earlier said Cyclone 'Biparjoy' had been impacting the intensity of the monsoon and that its onset over Kerala would be "mild".

The cyclone was named Biparjoy by Bangladesh. The name means "disaster" or "calamity" in Bengali.

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