Ahead of the Cyclone Biparjoy`s landfall, the Indian authorities have begun its preparations. Cyclone Biparjoy is reportedly expected to make landfall along the Saurashtra-Kutch coasts as a very severe cyclonic storm. Fishing activities have been suspended, and authorities are evacuating people from districts along the sea. Meanwhile, the Indian Railways have also prepared its action plan.
According to a statement issued by the Western Railways on Monday, the IMD has issued latest bulletin. As per the bulletin, the extremely severe cyclonic storm “Biparjoy” over East Central Arabian sea is moving and may affect Saurashtra and Kutch areas. Forecast of Cyclone “Biparjoy’ for the next 4 days commencing from 11th to 14th June” 2023 has been made over all Saurashtra area.
The storm is expected to affect Saurashtra & Kutch areas. The vulnerable sections include Bhavnagar, Mahuva, Veraval to Porbandar area, Okha to Hapa and Gandhidham area.
The landfall is predicted to occur near Mandvi-Jakhau Port on the evening of the 14th. Indian Railways has implemented various measures to ensure the safety and minimise the impact of the cyclone.
These include:
1. Activation of Disaster Management Room at the Zonal Railway headquarters and round-the-clock manning by various departments.
2. Operation of emergency control rooms at division headquarters in Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, and Gandhidham.
3. Regular Monitoring of wind speed at multiple locations and instructions to regulate or stop trains if wind velocity exceeds 50 kmph. Anemometers have been installed at stations and reading of wind speed is being taken on hourly basis.
4. Formation of Online Groups for real-time monitoring and co-ordination.
5. Continuous monitoring of cyclone-related information on mausam.imd.gov.in website.
6. Availability of sufficient diesel locomotives and coaching rakes for emergency evacuation.
7. Suspension of loading of double stack containers and restriction on their movement.
8. Review of passenger train schedules and necessary decisions based on the cyclone situation.
9. Readiness of a relief train.
10. Counselling of Loco Pilots & Assistant Loco Pilots regarding safety protocols during cyclone/storm conditions. All the necessary arrangements (food, medical etc) have been done at various Running Rooms meant for crew rest.
11. Instructions to keep doors and windows of coaches open for the free passage of wind.
12. Intensive footplate inspections have been conducted for close monitoring.
13. Arrangements for the availability of fully fueled diesel locomotives and filled RCD fuel tanks back to normal operations after cyclone in case road infrastructure for RCD fuel movement is hampered.
14. Alternate communication arrangements
a. Emergency Control Room including satellite phones, FCT, and DOT phones in case of communication failure.
b. VHF sets are available for site communication
15. Alternate Power arrangements