Over 100,000 people who took shelter from Cyclone Biparjoy in relief camps in western India have started to return home as the storm weakens and heads towards Pakistan. The cyclone made landfall in the coastal village of Jakhau in Gujarat state on Thursday, causing widespread damage. However, it was not as severe as expected, with no major damage in the village, except for uprooted trees, electricity poles, and minor damage to some homes. Electricity has been restored in many villages, but some still remain without power. The Gujarat government has deployed rapid action squads to clear fallen trees in Gir National Park, home to nearly 700 Asiatic lions.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the cyclone weakened into a deep depression and is expected to weaken further in the next 12 hours. While the full extent of the damage in Gujarat is not known, a man and his son died on Thursday in an attempt to save their livestock. In addition, 23 people were injured in various areas. The frequency, duration, and intensity of cyclones in the Arabian Sea have increased significantly between 1982 and 2019, and experts predict that this will continue. This makes preparations for natural disasters more urgent.
Over 130 people have already returned to their homes in Jakhau from the government-run shelter where they were staying. India’s powerful home minister, Amit Shah, is expected to visit the village later today to take stock of the situation. Despite the damage caused by the cyclone, many residents are grateful that the situation wasn’t as bad as expected.
