Cyclone Biparjoy: What do IMD's yellow, orange and red alerts mean?

As the extremely severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy approaches, the Indian Meteorological Department has issued colour-coded weather warnings for the coastlines of Gujarat's Saurashtra and Kutch regions as well as adjoining Pakistan coasts. Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to make landfall near Gujarat's Jakhau Port on June 15.  

On Monday, the weather agency issued an ‘orange’ alert for Gujarat’s Saurashtra and Kutch regions due to Cyclone Biparjoy. The cyclonic storm is heading northwards at a speed of 5 kilometres per hour, according to IMD.

Here are the warnings issued and what they mean.

Green Warning: All Clear

This is the lowest level of alert and signifies that no severe weather conditions are expected. The green warning means that it is safe for residents to carry on with their regular activities.

Yellow Warning: Be Aware

A yellow warning signifies that people need to stay updated about the potential severe weather. While the weather may not be a threat to the general population, people engaged in certain activities may be at potential risk. The IMD has put several inland districts of Gujarat like Patan, Gandhinagar, Surrendranagar, and Ahmedabad on yellow warning for June 16 and June 17.

Orange Warning: Be Prepared

The orange warning is a step up from the yellow warning, indicating that the weather could potentially worsen, causing disruption to plans and potentially posing a threat to life and property. People should be prepared for significant changes in weather conditions and ensure they are equipped to handle emergencies, according to IMD.

The weather agency has issued an orange warning for several districts in Gujarat from June 14 to June 17.

Red Warning: Take Action

The red warning is the highest level of weather warning and indicates that extreme weather is expected. During a red alert, there's a significant risk to life and property, and residents are advised to take immediate action to protect themselves1. For June 15, the IMD has issued a red warning for the westernmost parts of Gujarat, indicating that heavy rain is expected.

Based on the latest information from the IMD, Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to make landfall between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by noon on June 15. At this point, it is predicted to maintain its intensity as a very severe cyclonic storm, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph.

The IMD has issued a heavy rainfall warning for several districts in Gujarat, including Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Junagarh, and Morbi. There is a high likelihood of light to moderate rainfall at most places on June 14, with heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas. The intensity of rainfall is expected to increase on June 15, with extremely heavy falls in Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar, and heavy to very heavy rainfall over Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi  and Junagarh districts of Gujarat. On June 16, heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted for north Gujarat and adjoining south Rajasthan.

Fishing operations have been entirely suspended in the east-central and adjoining west-central Arabian Sea until June 15, and in the northeast Arabian Sea from June 12 to June 15. The IMD has advised offshore and onshore industries in the affected regions to exercise caution.