Update: 19.06.2023
Operations at the Port of Mundra resumed after Cyclone Biparjoy brought shipping to a standstill last week. Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd. tweeted on Saturday that work at the port is returning to normal.
Other ports on the Gujarat coast, including the ports of Pipavav and Hazira, continued operations after weather conditions improved. An advisory issued by Danish container carrier Maersk described operations at the three ports as back “in full swing.”
Update: 15.06.2023
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the Saurashtra-Kutch coast as cyclone Biparjoy is forecast to make landfall near Jakhau Port today.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall has already hit some parts of Kutch and Devbhumi Dwarka, where the cyclone is expected to have the most impact. The IMD predicts wind speeds to reach 115-125 kmph with gusts of up to 140 kmph when the storm moves over land in the coming hours. Some 74,000 people have been evacuated from the coastal districts, and public transport has been suspended.
High swells and winds brought by cyclone Biparjoy have affected safe operating conditions at several ports as follows:
- APM Terminals Pipavav suspended vessel operations on 10 June, and ships were asked to leave the port area and anchorage. On 13 June, landside operations were suspended, including gate and rail movements. Conditions for resuming operations are being reviewed regularly.
- Mundra completely suspended all port operations on 13 June and remains closed until further notice. Conditions for resuming port activities are being reviewed every 6 hours.
- Hazira suspended operations late on 14 June after experiencing high swells and strong winds.
- Port Qasim remains open but continues to monitor operating conditions.
According to CNBC, high waves have also reached the coast of Mumbai, where precautions are also being taken to bring ships to safety. However, the port of Nhava Sheva continues to operate normally today.
Meanwhile, carriers have begun to announce schedule adjustments for vessels calling at these north Indian and Pakistani ports and warn that berthing delays may occur once the storm has passed.
Cyclone Biparjoy has been categorised as an “extremely severe” storm by the IMD, which is the second highest category on its classification scale.
Original article: 12.06.2023
The west coast of India and the southern region of Pakistan are bracing for cyclone Biparjoy, expected to reach the countries on Thursday afternoon. India's Meteorological Department forecasts the powerful cyclone will hit Mandvi in Gujarat and Karachi in Pakistan.
A warning message published by the department highlighted, "It is very likely to move nearly northwards till 14th morning, then move northeastwards and cross Saurashtra & Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port (Gujarat) by noon of 15th June as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph."
The warning called on ports along the west coast of India to "take necessary precautions" and ordered the suspension of all fishing operations. Karachi in Pakistan and two of India’s largest ports, Mundra and Kandla, in Gujarat state, are expected to be primarily affected. An advisory sent by container carrier MSC informed customers that "there will be no operations carried out at Mundra Port till further instructions."
According to local news agency The Indian Express, "Pakistani authorities have started evacuating people from the low-lying coastal areas," as the cyclone is expected to make landfall on 13 June.
