Cyclone Biparjoy, second giant storm to hit Gujarat within two years, leaves trail of destruction

Cyclone Biparjoy, which made a landfall near Jakhau Port in Gujarat's Kutch district on Thursday evening, has left a trail of destruction in the affected region. More than 900 villages have been left without power supply and a large number of houses as well as shops were damaged in the powerful cyclone. Two people died in Bhavnagar district while 22 others were injured in the heavy rain and the damage caused by cyclone Biparjoy, according to reports.   

The coastal state, which was already battered by the disastrous Cyclone Tauktae in 2021, now reels under the fury of yet another severe cyclonic storm. Classified as a very severe cyclonic storm, Biparjoy has raked across Gujarat with the ferocity reminiscent of the 1998 Gujarat cyclone. The cyclone has wreaked havoc on the state, particularly the Saurashtra-Kutch region, with the storm still continuing inland heading towards Rajasthan. 

Making landfall in Gujarat's Kutch district, Cyclone Biparjoy brought with it intense winds and heavy rainfall. The cyclone sustained winds of 115-125 km/h and had a broad diameter of 300 km, while its eye spread across 50 km. As the cyclone tore through Gujarat, it caused significant damage, including uprooted trees, collapsed communication towers, and electricity poles, leading to widespread power outages.

Damages caused by Cyclone Biparjoy

Cyclone Biparjoy has left a trail of destruction during and after its landfall. Widespread destruction has been reported, with thousands of trees uprooted, communication towers and electricity poles collapsed, and kutcha houses flattened. Biparjoy triggered large tides and a storm surge of 2-3 meters, posing a risk of inundation to low-lying areas.

Casualties have sadly already been reported, with one father and son dying in Bhavnagar while trying to save their goats. While there have been no other reports of human casualties so far, damage assessments are still ongoing, and restoration efforts are being initiated. Over 100,000 people have been relocated to shelter homes, emphasizing the scale of the humanitarian response needed.

Nearly 100 trains originating, passing through or terminating in the affected districts of Gujarat have been cancelled, diverted or short-terminated, according to Western Railway.

The Impact on Infrastructure

Infrastructure in the affected regions has taken a significant hit. Electricity supply was disrupted in many parts, and several communication towers were damaged. Nearly 940 villages had been left without power connection. Restoration efforts are currently underway, with a focus on quickly restoring the essential services.

Agriculture, a critical sector in Gujarat, has also been severely affected. Initial reports suggest significant damage to crops and livestock, which could have serious repercussions on the livelihoods of the people in the region.

Cyclone Biparjoy environmental impact

The environmental impact of Cyclone Biparjoy is also significant. The heavy rains and high-speed winds have led to soil erosion and loss of vegetation, affecting the region's biodiversity. Coastal regions have experienced significant saltwater intrusion, which can have lasting effects on the soil quality and agricultural productivity.

Moreover, the cyclone has disturbed marine ecosystems due to the turbulent sea conditions and high sedimentation rates, impacting marine life. The long-term implications of these environmental impacts are yet to be fully understood.

Reminds fury of Cyclone Tauktae

Cyclone Tauktae, which hit Gujarat in May 2021, left an indelible mark of damages on the state. Tauktae, a fierce storm, claimed 175 lives and caused extensive property damages. Evacuation efforts and rescue operations mitigated the loss to some extent, but the scale of the disaster highlighted the alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of cyclones hitting the Arabian Sea region.

1998 Gujarat Cyclone

The 1998 Gujarat cyclone was one of the most devastating tropical cyclones to impact Gujarat in recorded history. The storm reportedly caused over 1,000 deaths and the displacement of thousands more, along with extremely extensive infrastructural damage. 

Historically, cyclones have been a rare phenomenon in the Arabian Sea compared to the Bay of Bengal. However, recent years have seen an alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of cyclones in this region. The driving force behind this trend is believed to be the warming of the sea surface temperatures due to climate change.