Cyclone Biparjoy impacts Gujarat, India and SE Pakistan

India and Pakistan are bracing themselves for the arrival of Cyclone Biparjoy. The Atlantic hurricane season is quiet this week as the Pacific Ocean.

Biparjoy : Cyclone Warning for Saurashtra & Kutch Coasts - Landfall process will commence near Jakhau Port from today evening, continue till midnight." India Met. Dept

It has been an unusually energetic and long-lived cyclone out at sea, with sea surface temperatures around 31°C to 32°C in early June, which is a few degrees above the climatological mean. It has survived in the Arabian Sea for over a week and could have the highest Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) on record in the North Indian Ocean.

Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Biparjoy is forecast to make landfall over northern Gujarat, India and near to Sindh province, Pakistan (which includes Karachi). The storm has been in the northeastern Arabian Sea and will arrive over land later on Thursday 15th with red rain warnings expanding on Friday. After the initial violent winds and torrential downpours, which could impact SE Pakistan as well, the heavy rain will spread a long way inland over northern India, extending eastwards

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated in preparation for the Cyclone’s arrival along with livestock. Huge waves and a storm surge are expected with existing warnings to fisherfolk. People are being advised to only listen to official communications and not hearsay as conditions deteriorate. Communications can be difficult with low literacy rates in some exposed rural areas.

Many people have moved to Shelter Homes and the airports are beginning to close down. As the storm nears, to find a hiding place in strong parts of homes and building after turning off the gas and electricity and boarding up glass windows or putting storm shutters in place.

There will be many difficulties after the cyclone has arrived so people are being advised to pack fresh bottled water and non-cook food stuffs. With good early warnings and improved weather forecasting many lives can be saved in such a situation. However, flooding and landslides along with the damaging winds and wild seas will mean this is a dangerous event.

“WHO has prepositioned essential emergency medicines … including oral rehydration salts (ORS), aqua tabs, and essential medicine, to assist vulnerable communities affected by the cyclone by ensuring uninterrupted access to health care and limiting the spread of infectious diseases.”

Cyclones in the Arabian Sea don't occur as often as in other parts of the world and Biparjoy has survived for an unusual amount of time.

 “The reason why Biparjoy has lasted so long is that it is feeding on warm waters in the Arabian Sea,” said Raghu Murtugudde, a visiting professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, who studies the role of oceans in tropical climate variability. “Biparjoy is an example of how climate change—especially warming in the upper ocean—is contributing to cyclones moving slower and lasting longer.”

Thread on Cyclone Biparjoy in the Netweather community forum