Four boys tragically drowned in the rough seas off the western Indian city of Mumbai on Tuesday, coinciding with the evacuation efforts by India and Pakistan in anticipation of an approaching cyclone. The cyclone, named Biparjoy, is classified as a very severe cyclonic storm and is expected to make landfall on Thursday evening between Mandvi in Gujarat, India, and Karachi in southern Pakistan.
Meteorologists have predicted that the cyclone will bring maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 km (78-84 miles) per hour, with gusts reaching 150 km (93 miles) per hour. In Mumbai, a police official confirmed the drowning incident at Juhu beach, with two bodies recovered so far and the search ongoing for the remaining two victims.
The impact of the cyclone was already felt in Gujarat’s coastal areas, where high waves, heavy rains, and strong winds caused damage. Trees were uprooted, and a wall collapse in Kutch and Rajkot districts claimed the lives of three people. The state government expects that eight coastal districts in Gujarat will be affected, leading to the suspension of fishing activities until Friday and the declaration of school holidays.
Given the presence of offshore oil installations and major ports in Gujarat, most operations have been suspended as a precautionary measure. Similar actions have been taken in Pakistan, where paramilitary troops and local authorities have started evacuating people to shelters and relief camps. Ships and boats have been moved from vulnerable areas, and hospitals are on high alert. The National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan estimates that approximately 100,000 people will be evacuated by Wednesday morning.
In response to the cyclone, several ports in India, including Kandla and Mundra, have suspended operations. Reliance Industries, operating a large refining complex in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, declared a force majeure and halted exports of diesel and other oil products from Sikka port. Adani Ports, part of the Adani conglomerate, also suspended vessel operations at Mundra and Tuna ports.
Amidst the cyclone’s impact, the Indian Coast Guard conducted the evacuation of 50 personnel from the Key Singapore oil rig owned by Shelf Drilling and currently operating for Cairn Oil & Gas off Gujarat’s coast.
