Cyclone Biparjoy Weakens on Its Path to Pakistan, Causing Casualties and Damage

Cyclone Biparjoy weakened as it approached Pakistan after leaving a trail of destruction in India, claiming two lives and causing significant damage. Officials reported that the cyclone disrupted power supply and caused shipping containers to be tossed into the sea in western India before losing strength.

Over 180,000 people sought shelter in both countries, with some evacuees in Pakistan preparing to return home as the storm abated. While electricity had been restored in certain villages in India, many others remained without power, exacerbating the aftermath of the cyclone.

The impact of the storm was most severe in the Indian region where it made landfall. Tragically, a man and his son lost their lives while attempting to save their livestock in Gujarat state. The cyclone brought winds of up to 85 kph (53 mph), with gusts reaching 105 kph (65 mph) along the coastal areas of western Gujarat.

The full extent of the damage in western India is not yet known. Besides the two fatalities, 23 people sustained injuries in various locations, according to officials. Approximately 100,000 individuals who were evacuated in western India have been temporarily relocated to relief camps, as announced by authorities.

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Upon making landfall, the cyclone caused additional damage, including the uprooting of trees and electricity poles. Officials in the coastal town of Mandvi reported that heavy winds had propelled several shipping containers into the sea at Mundra port, one of India’s largest ports.

Given the devastating floods experienced last year, Pakistan remained on high alert. Wind-driven rain battered southern coastal towns in Pakistan for a second consecutive day. Flash floods were anticipated in the southern regions of the country due to the cyclone.

In response to the crisis, people in the affected region queued up to receive food supplies from charitable organizations, aid agencies, and local authorities.

A decision regarding the return of displaced individuals will be made by Pakistan on Saturday. “The storm is expected to weaken first to a cyclonic storm and then to a depression by this evening,” stated a government announcement.

Shakir Din, a fisherman residing in the coastal town of Badin, expressed hope that his family and neighbors would soon be able to return home.

The Indian Meteorological Department revealed that Cyclone Biporjoy set a record for the longest lifespan over the Arabian Sea, lasting over 10 days. The previous record of nine days was held by Cyclone Kyarr in 2019.

The Gujarat government deployed 184 rapid action squads to rescue wildlife and clear fallen trees in Gir National Park, which is home to nearly 700 Asiatic lions.

Pakistan’s Sindh province was devastated by one of the country’s deadliest floods last summer, partly attributed to climate change. The disaster claimed the lives of at least 1,739 individuals and displaced 33 million others.

The World Health Organization pledged its support to Pakistan in dealing with the cyclone’s impact, while the government and local aid groups provided free food and drinking water to the displaced population. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif reassured the public that his government was prioritizing the safety of those in the storm’s path.

UNICEF issued a warning on Thursday, stating that over 625,000 children were at immediate risk in Pakistan and India.

“Noala Skinner, UNICEF’s regional director for South Asia, highlighted the threat of Cyclone Biparjoy in Pakistan, which poses a new crisis for children and families in Sindh, the province most severely affected by last year’s devastating floods.”

A 2021 study revealed a significant increase in the frequency, duration, and intensity of cyclones in the Arabian Sea between 1982 and 2019. Experts anticipate that this trend will continue, underscoring the urgency for enhanced preparations in the face of natural disasters.

Munir Ahmed reported from Islamabad. Arasu reported from Bengaluru, India. Muhammad Farooq, a writer for Big Big News, contributed to this story from Badin, Pakistan.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cyclone Biparjoy

More about Cyclone Biparjoy

• AP’s climate change coverage
• Study on the increase of cyclones in the Arabian Sea (Note: the link to the actual study is missing as it is a fictional scenario)
• World Health Organization
• UNICEF