More than 1,50,000 evacuated as India, Pakistan brace for 'Biparjoy'

More than 1,50,000 people in India and Pakistan have been evacuated from the path of 'Cyclone Biparjoy' which is expected to make landfall on Thursday evening.

The cyclone — currently a 'very severe cyclonic storm' — will cross India's Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi and Karachi near Jakhau Port between 4-8pm, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), reports NDTV.

Some 74,000 people have been shifted to shelters from Gujarat's coastal region.

The cyclone is likely to reduce its strength after hitting the land, but the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has asked fishermen not to venture into the open sea until Saturday, reports Dawn. Similarly, fishing activities were also suspended in Gujarat till Saturday, reports NDTV.

Biparjoy has been making its way across the Arabian Sea and is expected to first hit India's Gujarat state on Thursday evening local time, according to BBC.

The cyclone is likely to carry a maximum wind speed of 115-125 kmph, IMD said. The wind speed is likely to pick up in the afternoon.

At least seven people have already died amid heavy rains in India. The victims include two children crushed by a collapsing wall, and a woman hit by a falling tree while riding a motorbike, AFP news agency reported.

In Pakistan, the storm is expected to strike the coast of Sindh province. Authorities have already evacuated 81,000 people from the south-eastern coast and set up 75 relief camps at schools.

Six national disaster relief teams have been deployed in key concern areas in the Kutch region of Gujarat for relief work.

The IMD expects Biparjoy to "fall in intensity" after crossing the coast.

/KN/