Cyclone Biparjoy to bring heavy rains and disrupt train services in Rajasthan and Gujarat

JAIPUR: Rajasthan and Gujarat brace for the impact of Cyclone Biparjoy, a storm that formed in the Arabian Sea, with its effects expected to be felt from June 15 onwards.

The cyclone is projected to bring rainfall to over half of Rajasthan, posing a threat to a total of 12 districts.

Authorities have issued a warning in light of the cyclone’s intensity. As a precautionary measure, the Indian Railways has announced the partial and complete cancellation of more than a dozen trains operating between Rajasthan and Porbandar, Bhuj, Okha, and Gandhidham in Gujarat.

Weather experts predict that Cyclone Biparjoy will make landfall in Gujarat and Pakistan either on the evening of June 14 or the morning of June 15.

After reaching the coast, the cyclone is anticipated to transform into a deep depression over parts of Gujarat and a low-pressure area over southwestern regions of Rajasthan. These areas are likely to experience heavy rainfall for a day or two as a result. However, the likelihood of significant damage in Rajasthan due to the cyclone is minimal.

According to experts, as the cyclone progresses towards Rajasthan, its wind speed is expected to decrease. The presence of high moisture levels may lead to heavy rainfall ranging from 60 to 100 mm in various locations over the course of two days.

Director of the Meteorological Center in Jaipur, Radheshyam Sharma, stated that the system’s effects would begin manifesting in the form of thunderstorms and rain from noon on June 15.

On June 16, heavy rainfall is expected in select districts of Jodhpur and Udaipur divisions. During this period, wind speeds of 45 to 55 km per hour may be recorded in southwestern Rajasthan. The system’s influence is also likely to continue on June 17, resulting in heavy rainfall in specific parts of Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Ajmer divisions.

The impact of Cyclone Biparjoy will be observed in Banswara, Dungarpur, Udaipur, Sirohi, Jalore, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, and Chittorgarh districts. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for these districts.

The coastal districts of Gujarat are experiencing the maximum impact from the cyclonic storm. The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for these districts, warning of winds with speeds ranging from 100 to 130 km per hour and the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rains. Consequently, the North Western and North Railway zones have decided to partially and completely cancel the operation of several trains bound for Gujarat.

Train operations affected

As per the schedule provided by the North Western Railway, the following train services have been affected: train number 09523 Okha-Delhi Sarai will not run today, train number 09524 Delhi Sarai-Okha will not operate on June 14, train number 22483 Jodhpur-Sabarmati will remain canceled until June 14, and train number 22484 Sabarmati-Jodhpur will remain canceled from today until June 15. Additionally, train number 19269 Porbandar-Muzaffarpur will not run on June 15.

Partial cancellation of train services

Train number 19574 Jaipur-Okha will run from Jaipur today, but this train will run till Rajkot only. This train will not run between Rajkot-Okha.

Train number 20937 Porbandar – Delhi Sarai will depart from Rajkot instead of Porbandar today.

Train number 14321 Bareilly-Bhuj will start from Bareilly on June 14, but will reach Palanpur only. This train will not run between Palanpur-Bhuj.

Train number 14322 Bhuj-Bareilly will run from Palanpur instead of Bhuj on 14th June.